Positives through the spine and in the pack to ease the sting of some disappointing showings out wide in the Warriors’ 40-12 loss to the Rabbitohs.
1 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK (c): A couple of shaky moments at the back early but a grunt-work behemoth as per, racking up 184 metres (70 post-contact). Ever-present in the middle of the pack when the Warriors had the ball…but there is a nagging deficiency in his inability to contribute as a ball-player in the backline. 7
18 DAVID FUSITU’A: Breezed in for an early try but a forgettable return otherwise, copping an undetected high shot as he looked certain to score his second and getting caught way infield as Souths scored on halftime before belatedly exiting the game via an HIA. 5.5
2 PATRICK HERBERT: Hardworking on the wing through the early part of the 2020 season, Herbert struggled to get involved back at centre. Finished with seven runs for 37 metres and barely featured in defence. 5
3 PETA HIKU: Ran for 113 metres and looked dangerous with the ball in hand but duffed a second-half try and was successfully targeted in defence by the Rabbitohs, missing five tackles. Threw the intercept pass that swung the match when he should have put the Warriors in front. 5
4 GERARD BEALE: Slow and sloppy with the ball, slow with bad reads on defence. Knock-on from Souths’ first kick of the second half was particularly galling. Toiled impressively for 163 metres but the end of the NRL road is nigh for the 191-game veteran. 5
6 KODI NIKORIMA: The sin-bin was an unfortunate strike against his name, but Nikorima did what everyone asked of him: consecutive high-involvement performances. Caused major problems for Souths during the first 25 minutes and never stopped probing and creating after returning from his Matt Cecchin-enforced spell, eventually putting Paasi over for a late try. Nine missed tackles was less than ideal. 7
7 BLAKE GREEN: Gorgeous try-assist early but that was a lone ball-playing high point. Ran with purpose, kicked somewhat adequately and a tally of 16 tackles with no misses is a feather in the veteran’s cap. 6
8 JAMAYNE TAUNOA-BROWN: Great first stint but was less prominent in his second. Finished with eight runs for 80 metres and 29 tackles. 6
9 WAYDE EGAN: From our perspective – and TWL has been critical of the recruit – this was comfortably Egan’s best showing for the Warriors to date. Crisper service from dummy-half, greater presence and ran for a season-high 44 metres as well as chalking up a team-high 42 tackles. 7
10 LACHLAN BURR: Started with a hiss and a roar but the lightweight prop’s night was done 10 minutes in due to a head knock. Not ideal when he’s fighting to keep a spot in the side. 4
11 ELIESA KATOA: Strong start before going off with a leg problem. Showed character to return and play 55 minutes of the match but easily the rookie’s least effective NRL showing so far, finishing with 26 tackles (three misses) and just 50 metres. 6
12 TOHU HARRIS: Not quite the obvious impact as previous weeks but Tohu is making a beeline for the Warriors’ Player of the Year award, running for a team-high 191 metres on 18 carries and threatening regularly on the left edge during the first half, and making 41 tackles – though six misses was well below his usual standards. 7.5
13 ADAM BLAIR: Another high-energy display even the most ardent Blair critics (TWL included) would be hard-pressed to fault, aside from a first-half error that stymied an attacking opportunity. Racked up 107 metres on 12 runs and 36 tackles to continue his Warriors renaissance. 7
14 KARL LAWTON: The Mr Fix-it played 60 minutes of the match due to the Warriors’ injury woes, including the entire second half at centre. A lapse to let Damien Cook score was the only obvious low point of a dogged display, coming up with several other desperate defensive efforts among 22 tackles and going looking for the ball, making three tackle-breaks. 6.5
17 JACK MURCHIE: Played 67 minutes courtesy of the Burr injury and worked himself into the ground in a 38-tackle effort, while also making a seven runs for 60 metres. A good kid who could develop into a very solid first-grader. 6
15 POASA FAAMAUSILI: Another to enjoy increased time on the field due to the Warriors’ casualty ward, playing 52 minutes and powering his way to 96 metres from 10 runs as well as making 31 tackles. We’ll say it again – gotta find a way to keep him from going back to the Chooks. 6
20 AGNATIUS PAASI: Really impressive after finally getting onto the park, storming for 65 metres (39 post-contact) on six carries, recording three tackle-breaks, scoring an impressive try and making 18 tackles. Should be restored to the starting front-row next week. 7
Categories: Previews + Reviews, WARRIORS NEWS
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