Few standouts in a landslide 50-6 defeat to the Storm.
1 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK: The Warriors’ best, racking up a game-high 280 metres (89 more than the next best) from 28 runs, including 85 post-contact. The most striking feature of his performance, though, was the skipper injecting himself into the attack in the 20-metre zone – something TWL has been crying out for – having a key hand in his side’s only try and almost laying on three more. 8
4: PATRICK HERBERT: Strolled in for the Warriors’ only try but was unable to grasp two tougher chances, coughing it up on the try-line both times. Chewed off 148 metres. Arguably a better winger than a centre. 6
18: GERARD BEALE: Beat opposite Justin Olam twice early – an utter rarity for the veteran these days – and had the try-assist for Herbert. Defended OK as well in a serviceable performance after getting the late call-up. 6
3: PETA HIKU: A forgettable night for Hiku, with the attack rarely going his way and missing a ridiculous nine tackles with opposite Paul Momirovski bagging a double and Ryan Papenhuyzen embarrassing him twice. Will be eager to put that one behind him. 4.5
5: KEN MAUMALO: Made some good plays early – including a 40-metre kick-return – but gifted the Storm a try by spilling a bomb, while his opposing winger Vunivalu bagged a hat-trick with two of the tries exposing the big fella’s lack of speed off the mark. His 191 metres was second-highest of any player. 5
6: KODI NIKORIMA: Busy early with the ball but faded out of the game. Racked up 26 tackles, but some of his five misses were poor ones. Contributed virtually nothing in the kicking department. 5
7: BLAKE GREEN: Had a hand in the only try, forced a couple of line dropouts, cracked the 100 running metres mark for one of the rare times in his career and was more creative than we’ve seen him previously this year. Still a level below the majority of NRL No.7s, however. 6
13: ADAM BLAIR: Rousing start with some big charges but slipped into anonymity – aside from being trodden on as Brandon Smith scored. Finished with 30 tackles and 94 metres. 5.5
9: KARL LAWTON: Lasted 15 uneventful minutes before injury ended his night. 4
15: POASA FAAMAUSILI: Looked the most damaging Warriors front-rower – more impactful than tallies of 75 metres and 25 tackles suggest. Has been a great addition but bittersweet that we almost certainly won’t hang onto him beyond this year – or even for much longer after the Roosters’ horror injury run in the other Friday night game. 6.5
11: JACK MURCHIE: Came up with a couple of errors, but was prominent with the ball on the right edge and reeled off 34 tackles. Never stops having a dig. 6
17: ISAIAH PAPALI’I: A couple of strong runs early, before returning to form with a boneheaded penalty (the first of two he conceded) that led to a Storm try. On the other hand, chalked up 34 tackles and 117 metres, the second-most by a Warriors forward. 5.5
12: TOHU HARRIS: Some uncharacteristic errors but again still comfortably the Warriors’ standout forward. Lapped his engine-room pals with 160 metres and a game-high 50 metres, as well as finding time for a rare line-break assist. 7
14: CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA: After cooling his heels for three months, played 65 minutes in the unfamiliar dummy-half role and looked right at home. Just a natural footy player – smooth service to create time for Green and good instincts, plus gutsy and hard-working (34 tackles) on defence. On NRL evidence in 2020, the best hooker at the club. If Todd Payten chickens out and leaves CHT out of the 17 next week because Egan is available, he may as well forget about being a fulltime first grade coach. 7
8: JAMAYNE TAUNOA-BROWN: Bumped to the bench after a couple of front-row starts but looked pretty solid during his time on the paddock. Tallied 81 metres and 28 tackles. 6
16: AGNATIUS PAASI: Eight carries and 16 tackles in half an hour off the bench. Modest. 5
21: JOSH CURRAN: Afforded 29 minutes after getting a late call-up but didn’t do much with it, running the ball just twice and notching 15 tackles. 4.5
Categories: Previews + Reviews, WARRIORS NEWS
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