Individual appraisals for a valiant team effort after the Warriors 18-10 loss to the Roosters at Central Coast Stadium.
1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck: Worked hard out of his own end but a 130-metre return from 17 carries was a bit un-Roger like. Still struggling to inject himself effectively on attack and came up with a couple of errors. 6
2 David Fusitu’a: Ran for a team-high 211 metres from 22 runs and racked up a game-high 78 post-contact metres in a hearty display, but countered that with four errors. 6.5
3 Adam Pompey: Not too bad from the maligned Pompey. Ran for 94 metres and had a team-best six tackle-breaks, though still a little clunky on attack. Made 17 tackles with two misses in an overall sound display up against the wily Josh Morris. 6
4 Peta Hiku: Great energy in attack with 150 metres from 19 runs – tremendous for a centre – and although he missed five tackles, Hiku produced some big defensive plays among 18 tackles. Four errors but two were try-saving intercept attempts, while he also threw the last pass for the first try. 6.5
5 Ken Maumalo: A try and Big Ken-like number with 20 runs for 196 metres but lacked his customary game-turning punch with the ball in hand. Gaffe-free in a nice change from his last few outings. 6
6 Kodi Nikorima: Some searching runs and a nice try-assist as he resumed a dangerous combination with Katoa, plus a try involvement in the first four-pointer. But three errors (including two cold drops when the Warriors were hot on attack), four missed tackles and did little to take the pressure off Blake Green. 6
7 Blake Green: Solid all-round kicking game (including one that led to a try), probing runs and led the team around well in tough circumstances. Arguably the standout feature of his game, however, was a dogged defensive effort, tacking up 21 stops – shutting down dangerous attack on several occasions – with just one miss. Always a competitor 7
8 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown: Struggled a bit to make an indent on the Roosters’ defence (7 runs for 55 metres) but reeled off 30 tackles with just one miss against the best pack in the NRL. Decent. 6
9 Karl Lawton: One of the better performances by a Warriors hooker this year, making 55 metres from five dummy-half runs along with 46 tackles in 63 minutes of game-time. Service not quite as slick as Egan but more presence and impact. 7
10 Jack Hetherington: If you’re a Warriors fan and don’t have a massive crush on our Penrith loan player, check yourself for a pulse. This guy’s aggression and energy is infectious. A return of five runs and 31 tackles don’t tell the tale of Hetherington’s impact – particularly his running battle with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. 7
11 Eliesa Katoa: Not the finished article but what a prospect – arguably the most promising forward to emerge at the club since Ali Lauitiiti. If not, definitely since Ben Matulino. Played a crucial role in the first try by cleverly batting back a bomb, showed amazing strength to score just before halftime and racked up eight runs and 36 tackles. Amazing ability to keep himself in the game. 7.5
12 Tohu Harris: Another herculean effort. Made 49 tackles (including a brilliant early try-saver) without a miss and was streets ahead of his fellow Warriors fowards with 12 runs for 118 metres – and had a superb average play-the-ball speed of 3.16 seconds. It will take something pretty remarkable to stop Harris from collecting the club’s 2020 Player of the Year gong. 7.5
13 Jazz Tevaga: A typical outing from Jazzy: an error and a penalty or two, but massive work-rate – a game-high 50 tackles this afternoon, plus eight runs – and great hustle. Always looking to spark his team with or without the ball. 7
14 Chanel Harris-Tavita: Was given 18 minutes at dummy-half but it wasn’t really during a period of the game that allowed him to put his best attributes on show. One run and 12 tackles. 5
15 Adam Blair: Responded well to heavy criticism for last week’s subpar performance. Five strong runs and 35 tackles without a miss, all of it with a notable lift in intensity. 6.5
16 Isaiah Papali’i: Second among Warriors forwards for running metres (69), play-the-balls were quick and made 31 tackles without a miss. Considerably better than his 2019-20 standard. 6.5
17 Lachlan Burr: Given the least minutes of any Warriors forward with 28 but a solid work-rate, contributing six runs for 65 metres and 26 tackles. 6
Categories: Previews + Reviews, WARRIORS NEWS
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