Plenty of healthy marks out of 10 following another wonderful team performance.
1 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK: Another mammoth performance – tough, industrious and cool. Unflappable at the back, carried the ball 21 times for 207 metres (including 97 post-contact) and got into dummy-half to dig his side out of territory trouble. Tremendous captain’s knock. 8
2 PATRICK HERBERT: A pair of spectacular finishes either side of a bad handling error at the other end that ultimately didn’t cost his side. But his work-rate was equally impressive, racking up 171 metres from 19 runs. Can make a mistake but is so much better on the wing than at centre due to his desire to get involved. 8
3 ADAM POMPEY: Solid again from the maligned (by us) tyro. Not a huge work-rate but threw the last pass for Jennings’ try and made some important carries when the Warriors were under pump. Caught out badly as opposite number Suli scored from a scrum but otherwise handled the big fella OK. 6.5
4 PETA HIKU: Another to make a poor handling error in a bad part of the field, Hiku bounced back magnificently. Stood up his opposing centre to send Herbert over just before the break and showed great desire to score early in the second half from a grubber. Topped 100 metres again. 7.5
5 GEORGE JENNINGS: We’re picking up what this loan stud is putting down. Outstanding finish to score his first half try, made a crucial save on opposing winger Garrick and got stuck in to trucking the ball out of trouble with Maumalo-at-his-best enthusiasm despite boasting half the frame, chalking up 177 metres. This guy’s a first-grader and I’ve had him on my roster anytime. 8
6 KODI NIKORIMA: May have shelved the trademark running game, but this could be the most encouraging display since he joined the club. In his maiden start in the Warriors’ halves without Blake Green alongside him, Nikorima – switching to the right side of the field – accepted responsibility and seniority with real class and poise. His kicks produced two tries and he had a key hand in two other four-pointers. All-round kicking game was magnficent, begging the question why he didn’t do more of it when Green was battling. 8
7 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA: Has a free run at the No.7 jumper now but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t under pressure after some underwhelming displays in 2020. Answered the call with aplomb, breaking the line with his running game, grubbering for a try and passing to help set up another. His ability to share the playmaking and kicking load with Nikorima was a real feature in the pair’s first-ever start together. 8
8 JAMAYNE TAUNOA-BROWN: Did a solid job in the middle, making eight runs for 85 metres and 21 tackles in 35 minutes on the pack. Doesn’t yet have the presence that you’d like from your first-choice prop, but gets it done week to week. 6.5
9 KARL LAWTON: The sin-binning was a momentum-turner, but his work while on the field was excellent again. Reeled off 39 tackles, ran strongly and gave good service, while looked at home on the edge after Egan came on. 6
10 JACK HETHERINGTON: Played all but the 10 minutes he was sin-binned and chalked up seven runs for 77 metres and 28 tackles. Made a poor error carting the ball out of trouble, meaning he was essentially responsible for both of Manly’s second-half tries. 6
11 ELIESA KATOA: I’ve refreshed the stats page several times and it still reads one run for nine metres alongside Katoa’s name. Not sure how to explain that. But scored the Warriors’ second try by chasing a kick, showed beautiful hands to contribute to their third and made some quality stop among his 19 tackles. 6
12 TOHU HARRIS: A certainty for the Warriors’ Player of the Year award and should be in the frame for a Dally M positional gong – absolutely one of the NRL’s best forwards this year. Ran 20 times for a game-high 216 metres and made 39 tackles. Marvellous. 8.5
13 JAZZ TEVAGA: It initially was difficult to see where Jazzy would fit back in to this Warriors back-row, but he has made a monumental impact since returning a few weeks ago. Packed 14 runs for 146 metres and 40 tackles without a miss into his 51 minutes on the park. 8
14 WAYDE EGAN: First of all, big positive to not see any no-look passes – maybe it was the conditions. But was otherwise sound in his 27 minutes at dummy-half – most of which the Warriors spent under the pump – making 17 tackles and one good run. 6
15 ADAM BLAIR: Easily his best since being demoted to the interchange. Eight strong carries for 88 metres and 19 tackles in just 28 minutes off the pine. Great energy and heartening to see he’s not dropping his lip in light of recent developments. 7
16 DANIEL ALVARO: Thrust into the action just after Hetherington’s binning and helped the Warriors through a strenuous period. Reeled off a remarkable 25 tackles in just 21 minutes and averaged over 10 metres per run from his four carries. 6.5
17 LACHLAN BURR: Not quite as spectacular as last week’s career-best performance, but a strong worker in 39 minutes of game-time with eight runs and 27 tackles. Happy to have him in the 17 and more of the same should be enough to jag a contract extension with the Warriors or a deal elsewhere in the NRL. 7
Categories: Previews + Reviews, WARRIORS NEWS
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