Some high-level performers in a gritty win over the Bulldogs.
1 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK: Most of the pre-match coverage on Fox Sports focused on how far below his 2018-19 standards Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has been. The courageous skipper showed how exaggerated those claims are with a colossal performance, running for 338 metres, making six tackle-breaks, scoring his second try of the season, forcing a line dropout as well as being rock-solid at the back. A frequent threat with the ball in arguably his finest attacking display of the season. 8.5
2 ADAM POMPEY: Shifted out to the wing and performed well, striding away for a try, racking up 162 metres and coming up with some nice catches at his own end. Caught out a couple of times defensively but overall a positive afternoon. 7
3 HAYZE PERHAM: Limited opportunities on attack but looked good with the ball and came up with some big plays without it – including a memorable bell-ringer on Jack Cogger to snuff out a late Bulldogs foray. 6.5
4 PETA HIKU: Continued his hot attacking form with a try-assist and 128 running metres but arguably stood out more on defence (despite a few misses), producing some tremendous stops among 18 tackles. 7
5 GEORGE JENNINGS: No chances inside the Bulldogs’ half but was a workhorse at the Warriors’ end, running for 172 metres (91 post-contact). Safe as houses today. Wonderful loan pick-up. 7
6 KODI NIKORIMA: Absolutely thriving since Blake Green’s departure, taking on the chief playmaker and kicker responsibilities while remaining the Warriors’ most dangerous ball-runner. Finished with three try-assists, a line-break, 122 running metres and 17 tackles with just one miss in a contender for his best-ever NRL performance. 9
18 PAUL TURNER: Mouth-watering natural talent. Almost came up with a first-half try chasing his own kick, while the debutant bounced back from a kick out on the full and defensive misread early in quick succession to come desperately close to two more tries via his dazzling footwork. Has all the skills and will only get better with more time and confidence. Worth remembering the 20-year-old hasn’t had a run at any level since March. 7
8 JAMAYNE TAUNOA-BROWN: Worked hard for 98 metres and 38 tackles, looking stronger in his second stint as the Bulldogs middle men began to tire. 7
9 KARL LAWTON: Forgettable stint at hooker, coming up with a bad misread for opposite Jeremy Marshall-King to set up Foran’s try and grubbering dead soon afterwards. Good defensively with 32 tackles in 40 minutes of game-time. 5.5
10 LACHLAN BURR: Some decent runs and good defensively with 34 tackles, but today’s offering would not have provoked a backflip on the Warriors brass’ decision to move him on at the end of the year. Threw a poor intercept pass among two errors. 5.5
11 ISAIAH PAPALI’I: Given a rare opportunity to start, Papali’i gave away his customary penalty – a costly obstruction that denied Turner a try – but was otherwise solid in an 80-minute effort. A tally of 44 tackles with no misses deserves recognition, while also carted the ball up 10 times for 86 metres. 6.5
12 TOHU HARRIS: Stood out less than most weeks, yet finished with 17 runs for 155 metres and 39 tackles. Quality as always. 7.5
13 JAZZ TEVAGA: Loved Jazz’s work, leading the Warriors’ forwards with 185 metres from 16 carries, plus three tackle-breaks, two offloads and 34 tackles. An inspirational worker who brings genuine X-factor. 8
14 WAYDE EGAN: Given 46 minutes after Lawton’s underwhelming dummy-half stint and went pretty well. Four runs for 45 metres, made 27 tackles with a miss and his slick service contributed to the Warriors’ three-try blitz during the second half. 6.5
15 ADAM BLAIR: Excellent again off the bench, particularly with the ball as he broke the 100-metre barrier and made a line-break in 40 metres on the park, as well as reeling off 20 tackles without a miss. Good presence in the middle. 6.5
16 DANIEL ALVARO: Not getting too much love from Warriors fans but the Eels loan prop had perhaps his best game for his adopted team, making the most of 29 minutes of game-time with 106 metres and 26 tackles. 6.5
17 JACK MURCHIE: What a day out for Big Jack. Climbed to take a bomb for his first NRL try and backed up Nikorima to storm away for his second, either side of a gorgeous flick ball to set up Pompey’s four-pointer. Troubled the Bulldogs with every carry and was superb defensively, racking up 32 tackles without a miss. Has to be in the 17 next week when Katoa returns. Gained some extra notoriety by becoming potentially the first player ever to be penalised for throwing an opposition player’s boot away. 8.5
Categories: Previews + Reviews, WARRIORS NEWS
Leave a Reply