Marks out of 10 after a heart-breaker against the Eels in Gosford.
1 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK: Absolutely astonishing once again. A total of 278 running metres was boosted by an electrifying line-break that set up Chanel’s second, while also had a key hand in Perham’s try. High-quality in every other facet and troubled the Eels with every touch. the last three weeks have matched anything he did during 2018-19. 8.5
2 ADAM POMPEY: Another big effort, making a line-break and topping 150 metres as well as coming up with some big takes at the back. Has been a revelation since moving out to the flank. 7.5
3 HAYZE PERHAM: Quiet early but finished with 14 carries for 88 metres, 17 tackles without a miss, and brilliantly contributed to his first NRL try by deftly putting Gerard Beale on the outside. 7
4 PETA HIKU: A couple of lamentable errors, but hard not to be besotted with Hiku’s commitment and class. Racked up 162 metres and 21 tackles without a miss – a massive contribution stats-wise for a centre – and threatened the Eels’ defence on the reg. 8
5 GERARD BEALE: Stood flat-footed to take the second hit-up of the match, a harbinger of a 68-metre contribution after George Jennings has been racking up 150-plus every week on the left wing. But was otherwise solid and produced a beauty of a try-assist for Perham. 6
6 KODI NIKORIMA: Kicking left a lot to be desired early but put in the grubber for the Warriors’ first try. Not enough authority when his side had opportunities in the second half and could have run more. Eighteen tackles without a miss is a positive. 6
7 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA: A string of further examples of his maturity, class and desire – most notably his support play to bag a mind-blowing three-minute double. Had a key hand in the Warriors’ second-half try and look their most likely playmaker throughout. 7.5
8 JAMAYNE TAUNOA-BROWN: Toiled for 30 tackles but only five hit-ups in an unusually small 28 minutes on the field. A step back from last week’s dominant showing. 5.5
9 KARL LAWTON: Tremendous defence and some probing runs early. Replaced after 28 minutes and had an uneventful 17-minute stint after Egan left the field with an HIA. Racked up 31 tackles. 6
10 LACHLAN BURR: Decent follow-up after last week’s career-best showing, notching 84 metres and 30 tackles. No complaints. 6.5
11 JACK MURCHIE: Played the full 80 and did a bit of damage on the right edge, but was more impressive defensively with a team-high 47 tackles. 7
12 TOHU HARRIS: Didn’t have a rest, made 45 tackles and carted the ball up 22 times for 189 metres, yet had enough energy to do quite a bit of ball-playing. A champion again playing like one in tough circumstances. 8
13 JAZZ TEVAGA: Tried his heart out to make up for a grossly unfair sin-binning. Tallied 39 tackles and 19 runs for 169 metres as he attempted to the ledger with Nathan Brown. 7
14 WAYDE EGAN: Slick service and good defence (20 tackles, no misses) in 35 minutes at dummy-half, but his standout play was a charge-down and desperate scramble to regather the ball. His HIA exit was a blow to the Warriors’ momentum. 7
15 ADAM BLAIR: Solid contribution in 34 minutes on the park, with six strong hit-ups and 28 tackles without a miss. Bewildering in a game like this why he wouldn’t get more minutes – moving Blair into the starting side could be a trump move for the last three rounds. 6.5
16 JOSH CURRAN: One of the all-time worst introductions to a season for the former Rooster, getting smashed and losing the ball on his first carry before compounding it by ridiculously wasting his team’s Captain’s Challenge. Reeled off 15 tackles without missing any in an otherwise decent 13 minutes on the field. 4.5
17 ISAIAH PAPALI’I: Baffling to give a guy that otherwise wouldn’t be in the team 63 minutes of the bench, yet restrict three first-choice players in JTB, Burr and Blair to 30-something. Nevertheless, was largely impressive with 15 runs for 106 metres and 41 tackles. But a horrible defensive decision paved the way for Jai Field’s try try. 6
Categories: Previews + Reviews, WARRIORS NEWS
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