Marks out of 10 after a memorable win over the Broncos.
3 Peta Hiku: It’s hard to ignore the bad: a dropped bomb in the first half and one he inexplicably let bounce in the second to gift the Broncos a try. But he was otherwise strong, finishing with 160 metres and a try-assist as well as some nice clean-up work. Would probably end up in the Super League Dream Team if he took an offer to play fullback with an English club. 6.5
2 David Fusitu’a: Belatedly made his 100th NRL appearance for the club but play rarely went his way. Made 13 runs for 97 metres mostly out of the Warriors’ end and was denied a milestone try by a captain’s challenge. Did little wrong, though. 6
4 Patrick Herbert: Better on the wing. Just struggles to get involved as a ball-runner (seven runs for 53 metres) or provider at centre. Having the ball stripped off him in the second half luckily went unpunished on the scoreboard. 5
22 Gerard Beale: The off-contract veteran has reportedly been told he will not be re-signed by the Warriors. He wants to play on and will obviously be eager to use every opportunity to impress a potential new club. Tonight’s first-half performance was the equivalent of a job-seeker going door-knocking all day with their fly undone, spinach in their teeth and toilet paper stuck to their shoe. Errors upon errors early on. Quick hands for Maumalo’s try was a much-needed regroup and he was largely, mercifully, unsighted in the second stanza. Finished with four missed tackles. 4.5
5 Ken Maumalo: A ‘4’ for the first 39 minutes, a ‘9’ for the remainder of the match. Big Ken had some horrific moments during the first half but turned things around remarkably, starting with a powerful finish for a vital try just before the break. Was an absolute workhorse and finished with a massive game-high 291 running metres and 10 tackle-breaks, while his effort to score what could be considered the match-winner was spectacular. 7
6 Kodi Nikorima: KO’d by a Tevita Pangai Jr charge inside five minutes and did not return. N/A
7 Blake Green: Also apparently told he can pack up his Auckland digs at the end of the season, which makes his second-half display all the more inspirational. Green’s boot was arguably as responsible for the win as any other factor, booting a 40/20, a vital line dropout and finding the line. Brilliant dart to set up the sealing try for Papali’i. Bravo. 7.5
8 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown: Better than his numbers of 99 metres and 24 tackles suggested. Yung Maynie’s presence on both sides of the ball was huge and another step forward for the mature-age rookie. 7
9 Wayde Egan: Not the top-class 80-minute dummy-half performance that we’ve been craving, but a real leader’s effort from the ex-Penrith hooker. Deft try-assist for Paasi, stirring solo run to score another go-ahead try and an outstanding defensive effort with 42 stops. 7
13 Adam Blair: Tallies of 14 runs for 118 metres and 24 tackles don’t tell the story. Ever-present when the tough carries and big tackles needed to be made. Has been superb since the restart and tonight was just a continuation of it for the 34-year-old, 319-game veteran. 7.5
11 Jack Murchie: Extended for two seasons this week, the ex-Canberra forward did his best work on the defensive side of things with 32 tackles and making just five runs. Solid enough. 6
16 Karl Lawton: We’re big fans of the utility at TWL, and although he’s not the most fashionable makeshift second-rower going around he was a machine with 49 tackles and nine runs for 90 metres. A bad intercept pass was a black mark against a solid showing. Just a footy player with a great attitude. 7
12 Tohu Harris: Yet another colossal performance from Harris, who has been at Mannering-like levels of inspiration since the NRL’s resumption. Trucked the ball up a game-high 26 times for 227 metres and also led the way in defence with 51 tackles. Should end up with three Dally M votes for that one. 8
14 Chanel Harris-Tavita: A long-awaited chance in the halves with CHT getting 75 minutes at five-eighth after Kodi’s early exit. A bit of a mixed bag, but positive overall. A couple of wayward passes were scrubbed away by an exquisite pass to lay on Maumalo’s crucial try just before halftime. Five missed tackles but a couple of huge hits, and some excellent kicks that were let down by subpar chases. 6.5
10 Agnatius Paasi: Made his presence felt in 33 minutes of game-time, scoring a powerhouse try as well as chalking up 10 runs and 20 tackles. 6
20 Isaiah Papali’i: Certainly a memorable 27 minutes on the park after getting a late promotion to the bench. Slipped over to inadvertently take out Anthony Milford and cost the Warriors a try, but made up for it by storming over the late match-sealer from Green’s inside ball. Made three runs and 14 tackles (no misses). 5.5
15 Jack Hetherington: Eye-catching club debut. Played 43 minutes and made just 12 tackles while missing four, but racked up 107 metres from 12 runs and popped four offloads – three more than any other Warrior. An X-factor type that will prove a good pick-up for the Warriors on first impressions. 6.5
Categories: Previews + Reviews, WARRIORS NEWS
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