Hard to get past the outrageous decisions that cost the Warriors a crucial two points, but there was plenty to be proud of from a bunch of lads who all but pulled it out of fire against insurmountable odds.
1 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK (c): The best player on the field yet again. Ran for a game-high 268 metres, produced a nice try-assist in the first half, and came up with a scintillating line-break in the championship minutes – which should have been rewarded with the match-winning assist (and one of the best of all time), but for an abhorrent forward-pass call. Super classy post-game. Huge chance for back-to-back Dally Ms. 9
Roger Tuivasa Sheck is a very classy captain. 👨✈️
— Ali Ikram (@AliIkram) July 27, 2019
Braith Anasta tips the 2018 Dally M Medal winner as his dark horse for the 2019 Dally M Medal. Hot tip bro#NRLEelsWarriors
— This Warriors Life (@thiswarriorslyf) July 27, 2019
2 GERARD BEALE: Bit of a mixed bag – scored a simple try, should’ve had the match-winner, but was otherwise a bit of a non-entity on attack, made two errors and was the first victim of Maika Sivo’s fend-a-thon. Topped 100 running metres but is merely filling a gap at the moment. 5.5
3 PETA HIKU: Two slick try-assists for Big Ken’s tries were the highlights, but worked super hard again with 21 runs for 149 metres and generally kept danger-man Waqa Blake quiet. Tremendous streak of form. 8
4 BLAKE AYSHFORD: Will have Sivo’s hand-print on his chest for weeks to come. Made just five runs for 39 metres and his involvement on both sides of the ball pretty much looked reserve-grade standard – handy, given that’s where he’ll be headed next week. 5
5 KEN MAUMALO: An absolute workhorse with 27 runs for 242 metres and took two easy try chances to advance his season tally to 14. But a couple of shaky moments with the ball and two poor defensive reads which led to tries. 7.5
17 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA: Wow, CHT definitely looks like the future of the club. A stack of classy touches with the ball – including a pair of crucial try involvements – and outshone Green comprehensively in the kicking department. But the most striking feature of his game was his defence, belying his slight-looking frame with several crunching tackles rushing out of the line and a wonderful cover tackle to bundle Waqa Blake into touch. Then there’s the one-on-one strip (maybe two of them) that he was erroneously penalised for. Kid’s got heart. 8.5
Chanel Harris-Tavita leading by example, what a future weapon..
— Luke B (@_djorphan) July 27, 2019
Chanel Harris Tavita 💙💚❤️ #SolidAF
— 🤴🏽 (@BOWLYRC) July 27, 2019
7 BLAKE GREEN: So good last week, very ordinary today. Looked out of rhythm for the most part and had a terrible day overall with the boot. If you kick on the fourth, putting it down the fullback’s throat on their 20-metre line is unforgivable, while passing it Papali’i then Burr on the same last-tackle play is even worse. Totally overshadowed by Chanel. 5
8 AGNATIUS PAASI: The Warriors’ best forward by a comfortable margin. Led the pack with 129 metres on 14 carries, but his best work in the second stanza was without the ball. Several of his 27 tackles were out-and-out bell-ringers, while his superb one-on-one strip led to Maumalo’s second try and also popped a couple of offloads. 9
9 ISSAC LUKE: What an opening 25 minutes for Bully, who played like a man fighting for another contract and his team’s finals hopes. Breath-taking 40/20 led to the first try, scored the second himself through sheer desire, and banged over two sideline conversions for good measure. Also racked up 42 tackles. The Warriors missed his influence during his 13-minute spell. 8.5
Just hold off on getting the cheque-book out for Turpin, Koroisau, Levi et al … think Bully might be worth another one-year deal #NRLEelsWarriors
— This Warriors Life (@thiswarriorslyf) July 27, 2019
10 LEESON AH MAU: Solid, but not as much of an engine-room standout as he has been in recent weeks. Twelve runs for 107 metres and 20 tackles was a satisfactory afternoon’s work for 43 minutes on the field. 6
11 ADAM BLAIR: Back to being a bit quiet on the ball-carrying front with seven runs for 42 metres, but some inspirational defensive efforts. Gallant chase kept Gutherson out near the sideline when he scored in the second half, while Blair pulled off a magnificent try-saver on Moses among 41 stops. 7.5
12 ISAIAH PAPALI’I: Worked very hard – 11 runs for 80 metres and 34 tackles with no misses – but is lacking a bit of punch and variety in his game at present. Better in the second half. 6
13 JAZZ TEVAGA: A terrier as always, topping the tackle count with 50 but also making a team-high six missed tackles. Provided a bit of variety on attack with some short balls but his running game wasn’t as impactful as usual, finishing with 84 metres on 12 carries. 6.5
14 LACHLAN BURR: Bit of a debacle from the bargain buy. Shocking error within seconds of joining the fray, gave away two penalties, and a 57-metre contribution was nothing to write home about in 44 minutes on the park. A tally of 39 tackles with no misses was a saving grace. 5
Lachlan Burr is a special breed of dumb. How are you going to put an opposition player in a standing rear naked choke in front of the referee, and expect to not get penalised? What a potato. #NRLEelsWarriors
— Jordan Patu (@Jordan_Patu) July 27, 2019
15 SAM LISONE: Only given 12 minutes, in which he made two strong runs and 10 tackles with no misses. 5
16 BUNTY AFOA: Really impressive from Bunty, bending the line back with eight runs for 71 metres and racking up a remarkable 41 tackles with no misses in 38 minutes of game-time. Worthy of a starting spot. 8
20 ADAM KEIGHRAN: Returned to NRL action for the first time since Round 3 and looked good in the unfamiliar hooker role during a 13-minute stint. Made one searching dummy-half run, didn’t miss a tackle and took the correct blindside option as Maumalo banked his second try. 6
TWL RD 19 WRAP: VALIANT WARRIORS ROBBED IN OFFICIATING FARCE
Categories: Previews + Reviews, WARRIORS NEWS
Maybe there should be neutral refs ? It seems that Perenara bends over backwards to be seen to be fair !!!
nznana