Individual appraisals after the Warriors’ wild ride in Brisbane, featuring in a pulsating 18-all draw against the Broncos.
1 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK (c): Just astonishing yet again from the skipper. An immense 367 running metres (a new NRL record) including two breaks – one in the dying minutes of regulation, the other in golden point – that came within inches of producing match-winning tries. Also made eight tackle-busts and had a key hand in Fusitu’a’s try. An absolute phenomenon. 9
With 367 run metres, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck just set a record for the most metres in a single NRL game.
Not official just yet, but I doubt he loses the 22 odd metres in post match to lose the record.
Mammoth effort from RTS #NRLBroncosWarriors
— NRL Boom Rookies (@NRLBoomRookies) July 13, 2019
2 DAVID FUSITU’A: Wonderful finish for his first-half try, and worked hard for 145 metres off 20 carries. But couldn’t quite step into Big Ken’s yardage king boots after his wing partner went off the field. 7
3 PETA HIKU: In a rich vein of form and tonight was one of his best in a Warriors jersey yet. Ran the ball for over 250 metres from 24 carries, playing the last half-hour of the match on the wing. Some big defensive plays and a constant threat with the ball. 8
4 GERARD BEALE: Nice hand in Fusitu’a’s try and was solid enough on both sides of the ball, but still seems like a handy gap-plugger at best. 6
5 KEN MAUMALO: Big Ken could have topped 400 metres if he didn’t go off with a head injury with 30 minutes to play. Still managed a staggering 258 metres from 20 runs, including a line-break. A colossus when he was out there, sorely missed when he wasn’t. 8
6 KODI NIKORIMA: Terrorised the Broncos’ right-side defence with his running game, sending Blair over for his try and producing a second line-break assist. Tallied an incredible 192 metres from 23 runs and also booted a 40-20. Couldn’t find the winning field goal, but his ultra-high involvement was a very encouraging sign for the Warriors. 8
After Payne Haas stepped up with an inspirational defensive effort, Kodi Nikorima was so close to ending his old teammates' season.#NRLBroncosWarriorshttps://t.co/eLaGPkNfWy
— Yahoo Sport Australia (@YahooSportAu) July 13, 2019
7 BLAKE GREEN: Some touches of real class – most notably in setting up Luke’s try – but his kicking game was very much hit-and-miss all night. Needed to take more control when the game was on the line. 6
8 AGNASTIUS PAASI: Shocking miss on Payne Haas as the Broncos scored the opening try, one of six missed tackles on the night. Toiled for 137 metres on 14 runs and 37 tackles, but not his best outing. 6
9 ISSAC LUKE: Some searing highs and harrowing lows for Bully. Scored a great try, ran for almost 100 metres and drilled a sideline conversion, but an in-goal bungle gifted Darius Boyd a vital try and a horrific defensive miss saw David Fifita breeze through for a go-ahead score. 5.5
10 LEESON AH MAU: Comfortably the best of the Warriors’ prop rotation, making 137 metres from 13 runs – including a number of bustling runs when they were desperately needed. Flawless yet again in defence (32 tackles, no misses). 7.5
11 ADAM BLAIR: Yes, Blairy! In arguably his most dynamic display for the club, the maligned veteran scored a superb try early and – unlike in Melbourne – used it as a spur for a hyper-involved performance. Finished with 188 metres on 17 runs and still racked up 31 tackles. More of that please. 8
This is the game that Adam Blair earns a third of his year contract payment in.
— Karate Warrior 2 (@me_dc) July 13, 2019
12 ISAIAH PAPALI’I: Racked up 50 tackles and 12 runs, but made three handling errors and took a few poor options in attack. Some good moments but disappointing overall. 5.5
13 JAZZ TEVAGA: Some glaring misses in defence and a bad handling error, but his astronomical tally of 72 tackles demands respects. Somehow still had enough energy to make 22 runs for 184 metres. A workhorse in every sense of the word, and though there were a couple of black marks against his name in a 90-minute effort, Fantasy types are fizzing at the bung. 6.5
Jazz Tevaga’s numbers were insane tonight!
It was the fourth highest tackle count but the greatest involvement count of all time!
The highest tackle was by Elijah Taylor (78) in 2015. He only made six runs though.
Did anyone out there captain him? pic.twitter.com/CbBticAICa
— NRLCEO Fantasy Footy (@Fantasy_NRLCEO) July 13, 2019
14 LACHLAN BURR: Another energetic showing from the bench, racking up 33 tackles and eight runs. Gave away a penalty but more good than bad on the night. 6
15 SAM LISONE: Six nondescript runs and eight tackles in 15 minutes of game-time. 5
16 BUNTY AFOA: Very busy in his 25 mintues with seven runs for 70 metres and 22 tackles. Would like to see him play a more prominent role in the Warriors’ game-plan. 6
17 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA: Came on in the halves early in the second half but was shunted out to centre seconds later due to Maumalo’s injury. Had some classy touches out wide, got busy out of dummy-half and came oh-so-close to scoring a golden point try – certainly not the worst the Warriors have fielded in the centre spot in 2019. Something about the way CHT carries himself suggests he is potentially part of the future core of the club. 6.5
Categories: Previews + Reviews, WARRIORS NEWS
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