Marks out of 10 for the Warriors’ 40-6 beatdown of the Bulldogs.
1 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK: I can smell another Dally M already. Ran for over 200 metres, scored a fine solo try and set one up with an even better piece of evasiveness, while he was authoritative at the back. 8
2 DAVID FUSITU’A: Two excellent try-assists, wonderful under the high ball at both ends, strong carries. 7
3 PETA HIKU: Quiet initially but some typically slick touches on attack, decent defensive display in his new spot on the left and a well-taken late try. 6.5
4 SOLOMONE KATA: An early play-the-ball error and penalty made way for a blockbusting performance on the right side, scoring two tries, putting another in motion with a beautiful offload and looking super-dangerous in conjunction with Fus. 8
TRY! Solomone Kata gets his 2nd of the night for the @NZWarriors! #NRLWarriorsBulldogs #WeakendWarriors pic.twitter.com/TzP4Fyzoek
— The ACC (@TheACCnz) March 16, 2019
5 KEN MAUMALO: Did brilliantly to claim the opening try then set about doing what he does best, racking up 200-plus metres – 66 of them post-contact – to get the Warriors’ sets rolling. 7.5
6 ADAM KEIGHRAN: Certainly took a back-seat to Green early but worked his way into the game, scoring a great solo try, making a line-break, setting up Hiku and booting six-from-seven for a 16-point haul. 7
No SJ, no worries! Adam Keighran announces himself as the Warriors cruise to a 40-6 win over the Bulldogs in Auckland https://t.co/nkXAwAbaj3 pic.twitter.com/bDSowNbnrg
— Telegraph Sport (@telegraph_sport) March 16, 2019
7 BLAKE GREEN: Took the reins with impressive authority, kicking for the first two tries and steering the team around with typical poise and confidence. Looked in tune with his backline all day and provided a nice switch for the RTS try. 8
8 AGNATIUS PAASI: The least prominent of the Warriors’ front-row contingent, making eight runs in 36 minutes on the field. 6
9 NATHANIEL ROACHE: Such a classy operator, troubling the Bulldogs out of dummy-half and backing to sprint away for a memorable try. Handled the load extremely well after missing all of 2018 – second in the tackle count with 35 – and has to be somewhere in a full-strength 17. 7.5
Our 3-2-1 for #NRLWarriorsBulldogs
3: Blake Green
2: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
1: Nathaniel Roache— LeagueUnlimited 🏉 Rugby League News (@LeagueUnlimited) March 16, 2019
10 BUNTY AFOA: Led all forwards with 154 metres on 15 carries in a powerhouse performance. 7.5
11 ADAM BLAIR: His work-rate was a bugbear last year but very impressive on the edge with 11 runs for 99 metres and 29 tackles. 7
12 TOHU HARRIS: Fifty-eight minutes of quality from Harris, who made 28 tackles and 151 metres. 7.5
13 LACHLAN BURR: Looked right at home for a guy who hasn’t played NRL since 2016. Topped 100 metres and reeled off 33 tackles to underline the forward depth the Warriors have at their disposal. 7
Lachlan Burr has been outstanding.
— Anton Posa (@antonposa) February 22, 2019
14 JAZZ TEVAGA: Played with a heavy heart following the horrific events of Friday, but Christchurch-born Jazz played his heart out as per usual with a team-high 41 tackles. 6.5
15 SAM LISONE: Has turned up in 2019 with a revamped attitude and looks great physically. Bent the line back with every carry to suggest he will be very hard to keep out of a first-choice line-up. 7.5
16 LEESON AH MAU: The long-serving Dragon came 100 percent as advertised in his first game for the Warriors since 2009. Powered through 30 tackles and 119 metres. Will be tempting to start him in the near future. 7.5
17 BLAKE AYSHFORD: Received 12 minutes at the end as a back-rower in his first NRL appearance since 2017. 5
Categories: Previews + Reviews, WARRIORS NEWS
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