Marks out of 10 following a season-best upset of Wests Tigers.
1 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK: Recovered from a costly early error to inspire his team with 279 metres (99 post-contact) from 26 runs, seven tackle-breaks and two offloads, plus forced two line dropouts with neat short kicks. 8
2 PATRICK HERBERT: Outstanding from the Herb, standing up big-time under the high ball and racking up 163 running metres in a wholehearted performance. Better on the wing than at centre. 7.5
3 ADAM POMPEY: Topped 100 metres and didn’t look out of his depth, but doesn’t offer much as a ‘provider’ centre. 6
4 PETA HIKU: Brilliant finishing to bag a crucial second-half double in the space of 12 minutes. Was otherwise superb, too, running for 124 metres, popping two offloads and coming up with a couple of key defensive plays. 8
5 GEORGE JENNINGS: Made a couple of errors and struggled to get in sync with his fellow outside backs, but a willing runner for 151 metres in a decent club debut. Welcome aboard. 6.5
6 KODI NIKORIMA: For me, that was Kodi’s best performance as a Warrior. Went looking for the ball constantly and popped up all over the park – not just in his customary left-edge channel. Laid on both of Hiku’s tries, combined well with Katoa as per usual, took some last-tackle responsibility and kicked astutely, and landed five-from-five off the tee. A team-high five missed tackles was the only negative but made 20 stops. 8.5
7 BLAKE GREEN: A more understated performance, but Nikorima’s authoritative showing allowed him to sit back a bit. Mixed night with the boot – including a kick out on the full and a bomb that produced a try – but overall a sound outing…maybe not $675k’s worth though. 6
8 JAMAYNE TAUNOA-BROWN: Busy in defence with 27 tackles in 36 minutes but just five hit-ups. OK but overshadowed by his fellow middle men. 6
9 KARL LAWTON: On balance of 2020 performances, Lawton is our top hooker. The Warriors may not have been able to claw back into the contest if not for his stirring dummy-half try, while he made 30 tackles and always looked likely to spark something on attack. More presence than Egan. 7.5
10 JACK HETHERINGTON: An absolute menace. Had the odd mistake but plays at a thousand miles per hour and looks about as fun as a flying bag full of spanners to tackle. Finished with 34 tackles and 139 metres from 13 runs, as well averaging an outstanding 2.82 seconds play-the-ball speed. Gotta try and lock him in beyond this season. 7.5
11 ELIESA KATOA: Another industrious display with 131 metres and 35 tackles, but it’s his X-factor that continues to impress. Slick hand in Hiku’s second try, made three offloads and is constantly looking to bust the game wide open. 7.5
12 TOHU HARRIS: Made 41 tackles without a miss, led the Warriors’ forwards with 181 metres from 16 carries and backed up to score a match-sealing try. Just so reliably excellent. 8
13 JAZZ TEVAGA: A couple of customary errors and missteps, but Jazzy was again an invaluable workhorse with 168 metres and a team-high 42 tackles, as well as getting the Warriors rolling with a whopping six offloads. 7.5
14 WAYDE EGAN: Good enough, but for f*%k’s sake someone hook this guy up with a midweek game of touch footy to get the infuriating no-look passes and pointless, dinky bits of sleight-of-hand out of his system. 5.5
15 ADAM BLAIR: Went alright besides giving away a couple of penalties soon after entering the fray. Made six runs and 20 tackles in 29 minutes on the paddock – not quite what we became accustomed to earlier in the campaign. 5
16 DANIEL ALVARO: Great impact in just 20 minutes of action, racking up seven runs for 69 metres and 18 tackles. Strong effort for a guy that has had just eight minutes on the paddock since the restart. 6.5
17 LACHLAN BURR: Easily Burr’s best of 2020, potentially his strongest performance for the club overall. Made an enormous 17 carries for 150 metres and reeled off 23 tackles, as well as throwing three offloads. Very impressive. 7.5
Categories: Previews + Reviews, WARRIORS NEWS
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