Tough appraisals after an agonising loss on the Gold Coast.
1 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK: Blistering start with a solo effort for his first try of 2020, while he ran for 252 metres – 100 more than anyone else on the paddock. But a pushed pass to a Titan that foiled a rare second-half attack chance and the crucial dropped ball that led to the hosts’ match-winning try were the standout moments of one of the inspirational skipper’s subpar-by-his-standards showing. 6
2 DAVID FUSITU’A: Really impressive under the high ball and trucking it out of the Warriors’ end, racking up 158 metres to outpoint wing partner Maumalo for one of the very rare times in the past few seasons.On the debit side, credited with three errors. 6
3 PATRICK HERBERT: Busy display with 10 runs for 95 metres – including a play-the-ball speed of just 2.89 seconds – and 18 tackles with just one miss. Solid enough…but his opposite did score the match-winning try. 6
4 PETA HIKU: Great hands in Maumalo’s try but poor defence in the Titans’ first try. Made some good decisions jamming in but largely failed to impose himself with the ball in hand. 5.5
5 KEN MAUMALO: Superb grab to finish off his try but was far less prominent than usual carting the ball out of the Warriors’ end (despite topping 150 metres) and made a hash of one bomb to put his side under pressure during the second half. 5.5
6 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA: Big opportunity but didn’t grasp it. Shied away from the kicking duties (besides two brilliant sideline conversions) and went into his shell in attack. Disappointing. 5
7 BLAKE GREEN: A tough game for a halfback as the team imploded and his halves partner went silent, but not the kind of authority or direction from Green that was needed. Not terrible, but not the standard we got last week when the game was on the line – which suggests Green requires a pack that is on top or a dominant halves partner alongside him. 5.5
8 JAMAYNE TAUNOA-BROWN: Decent work-rate in 40 minutes with the ball, chalking up 111 metres from 13 runs, but had just 18 tackles and three misses. Overshadowed by the Titans’ starters. 5.5
9 WAYDE EGAN: Beautifully crisp dummy-half work early and finished with 46 tackles. But a dummy-half fumble in the first half and a botched attempt to milk a penalty that instead incurred one (one of two penalties he gave away) blightest the hooker’s performance. Certainly signs Egan is the No.9 we’re looking for but was too patchy tonight. 5.5
10 ADAM BLAIR: Eleven runs for 81 metres and 16 tackles in 39 minutes is the kind of numbers that attracted waves of criticism last season. Was strong when involved but that probably wasn’t often enough. 5.5
11 JACK MURCHIE: Ran the ball just six times in 49 minutes on the paddock, while he had three misses alongside 23 tackles. Needs to do more grunt work – seemed to get most of his ball inside the Titans’ 20. 5
12 TOHU HARRIS: Yet another workhorse display, playing 80 minutes and racking up 16 runs for 168 metres and a game-high 53 tackles. One bad error. 7
13 KARL LAWTON: Played 80 minutes starting in the middle and moving to the edge. Looked wholehearted with every one of his eight carries and made 43 stops…with a team-high missed tackles. A competitor. 6
14 AGNATIUS PAASI: Good impact in just 20 minutes with six runs for 67 metres and 10 tackles with no misses. But a handling error counted against him here. 5
15 JACK HETHERINGTON: Worth considering for a starting role. Good work ethic and impact, while he was denied a fair maiden NRL try by the Bunker that showcased his desire and ability to get himself into the game. 6
16 ISAIAH PAPALI’I: Decent impact, no complaints. 5.5
17 JAZZ TEVAGA: Tried making up for lost time in his first outing of 2020. Managed eight runs for 91 metres and 28 tackles in just 32 minutes on the park to confirm he’s back in the Warriors’ 17 to stay. 6
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