Marks out of 10 following a gallant defeat to big guns Canberra.
1 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK: Another inspirational performance in what was almost certainly the last we’ll see of our beloved skipper in 2020. Had a line-break and a team-high 186 metres and five tackle-breaks in just 60 minutes of action. Now we wait anxiously to see if the biggest sacrifice-maker in the squad will don the jersey again in 2021…8
2 ADAM POMPEY: Solid again, running for over 100 metres and sound under the high ball. Unleashed an eye-catching fend to get rid of two Raiders on one run. We’ve definitely come around to the strapping three-quarter…maybe not to the extent of Pompey swimfan Brandy Alexander, but enough to declare he’s a big threat to Ken and Fus’ claim to a wing spot next year. 7
3 ADAM KEIGHRAN: Good to see him back on the park for the first time in six months – he was arguably the Warriors’ best in Round 2 against the Raiders before succumbing to injury – but was a bit of a non-factor. Can’t help but feel a punt on Paul Turner at centre would have been better for the long-term future of the club. 5
4 PETA HIKU: Another glittering chapter in what has to be a contender for Hiku’s career-best season. Two expertly-taken tries either side of a punishing hit on Semi Valemei that led to more points. Led the three-quarter line with 12 runs and 108 metres. Superb. 8
5 HAYZE PERHAM: Chucked on the wing after four increasingly impressive showings in the centres, Perham was solid enough with 10 runs for 88 metres and containing opposing dangerman Nick Cotric well for the most part. Great to see Hayze get this late-season chance but still hard to see where the versatile customer gets a chance in a full-strength squad. 6
6 KODI NIKORIMA: Big improvement on last week. Two silky try-assists, another separate line-break assist, reinvigorated his running game (12 runs for 87 metres) and kicked well. 7.5
7 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA: Didn’t quite take the opportunity to shine, but highly involved on attack and reeled off 17 tackles. A valiant 90-metre chase on Valemai all the way to the try-line underlined why we are so in love with CHT. 6.5
8 LACHLAN BURR: Never have we ever considered putting Burr in the enforcer class. But he was on a seek-and-destroy mission against the big-name Raiders pack. His team-high tally of 37 tackles included a number of stinging shots on the likes of world’s-best Josh Papalii, who Burr frustrated into a flare-up at a scrum. Nine strong carries for 78 metres despite the Raiders defence coming at him hard looking for a square-up. 8
9 KARL LAWTON: Thoroughly outplayed Egan for the first time in a while. Five dummy-half runs for 56 metres, 30 tackles with no misses and super-slick service as the Warriors raced out to a 14-6 lead. 7.5
10 ISAIAH PAPALI’I: Like Burr, another maligned off-contract figure to take the fight to the Green Machine’s engine-room. Made 14 runs for 123 metres and 35 tackles – including snapping a queasy Elliot Whitehead in half – and got under the opposition’s skin. A late shoulder-charge in the latter stages was perhaps a reminder of why the club has not offered the former golden boy a contract extension. 7.5
11 JACK MURCHIE: A constant threat on the right edge yet again, running for 112 metres on 12 carries and chalking up 29 tackles. Staking a huge claim for 2021. 7
12 TOHU HARRIS: Much less prominent than the majority of his 2020 performances, but still led the pack with 136 metres on 13 runs and ticked off 31 tackles. Solid still, just less influential than we’ve become accustomed to. 7
13 JAZZ TEVAGA: Squeezed in 13 runs for 136 metres and 24 tackles in just 38 metres on the paddock. 7
14 WAYDE EGAN: Some sharp dummy-half runs but overall his most disappointing performance for a while. A kick-off dead on the full, a shabby knock-on and four missed tackles. 5.5
15 ADAM BLAIR: Spent 55 minutes on the park – considerably more than usual since he took up residence on the bench – and toiled for 94 metres on 12 runs and 29 tackles. More than satisfactory in his 330th – and potentially his second-last – NRL appearance. 7
17 TOM ALE: A promising 13-minute debut. Four runs for 42 metres, a classy offload and nine tackles without a miss. Perhaps one of the reasons the club can let go of Burr, Blair and co. without too much concern. 6
18 JOSH CURRAN: A much better cameo than he produced against Parramatta. Five runs for 53 metres and nine tackles without a miss in 20 minutes of game-time. Still hard to see where he figures in the club’s long-term plans after getting just three interchange call-ups this season, but a decent contribution. 6
Categories: Previews + Reviews, WARRIORS NEWS
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