Four-try hero DWZ heads a host of regular high-scorers in this week’s Kingz Container Crew Warriors player ratings.
1 CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD: Another magnificent effort – even if a dropped bomb gave the Dragons possession for one try and he had the ball nicked for the Saints to grab another. Absolutely thriving in his combination with Johnson to lay on two of DWZ’s tries and had a vital hand in three others. A huge 24 runs for 188 metres and a line-break. If a New Zealand Test team was being picked tomorrow, surely Charnze is the No.1 and Joey Manu reverts to centre. 8.5
2 DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK: It’s no secret I was highly dubious about DWZ’s arrival two years ago after dropping off at Penrith and enduring an awful stint at Canterbury – and I’ll still contend he was rocks or diamonds for the Warriors until a few games into his late start 2023 start due to injury. But he’s currently in career-best touch, one of the form wingers in the NRL and, most importantly, producing the goods every week. A career-best four tries gives him an equal-career-best 12 for the season – achieved in just nine games – while he has 10 in the Warriors’ last five outings. On top of that, a game-high 211 metres from 15 carries and a wonderful try assist for Berry. 9
3 ROCCO BERRY: Looked a lot more in sync with SJ, CNK and DWZ on the right edge to finish with two nice try assists and backed up Dallin to crash over for his first NRL try in a couple of years. A modest eight runs for 68 metres and had one glaring defensive miss, but overall a decent step in the right direction as he faces up to a challenge for his spot from rookie Ali Leiataua. 6.5
4 ADAM POMPEY: Very much a Pompey performance, with two line-break assists including a gem of offload that led to a Warriors try on the next play. Made nine runs for 74 metres, as well as 18 tackles but was exposed a couple of times defensively. Good reads to almost come up with a couple of intercepts. 6.5
5 MARCELO MONTOYA: Coughed it up on his first carry, almost redeemed himself by crossing for a try that was disallowed for an obstruction, then fully redeemed himself for a powerful try-saver on Ravalawa and a barnstorming finish to put the Warriors back in front in the 26th minute. Took some high balls well and racked up 129 metres on 18 runs, but also finished with four errors in an up-and-down evening. 7
6 LUKE METCALF: Good vision (if not textbook execution) to lay on Montoya’s try with a long cut-out ball. A little less involved in the second half but always sniffing around in support, which paid dividends when he steamed onto Pompey’s offload an into the clear in the lead-up to a Warriors try. Ended up with 102 running metres and held his own in a defensive effort that included 19 tackles. 7
7 SHAUN JOHNSON: Had the offence absolutely humming, notching two try-assists from kicks, backing up to score a try and having a vital hand in the Warriors’ six other four-pointers via his ability to square up the defence and create space out the back. Made 72 running metres and 15 tackles, again proving a solid presence on the Warriors’ right edge and catching the eye with his kick pressure. Only had one dud kick in general play and found his goalkicking range in the second half to finish with six-from-nine. 9
Shaun is definitely enjoying himself! 💪😂#NRLDragonsWarriors #9WWOS #NRL pic.twitter.com/DCLzGS3fGp
— NRL on Nine (@NRLonNine) June 23, 2023
8 ADDIN FONUA-BLAKE: Has to be a short-priced favourite to join Payne Haas in the Dally M Team of the Year’s front-row. Another powerhouse display that included 20 runs for 190 metres (60 post-contact), 31 tackles without a miss and a slick try assist for Johnson in 60 mighty minutes. Absolutely dominated the Saints through the middle. 9
9 WAYDE EGAN: A mixed bag that encompassed a 12-minute stint off the field for an HIA, a dreadful no-looker that saw the ball turned over in the first half, but otherwise featured slick service and dummy-half nous. Arguably most impressive defensively, with his 36 tackles including a host of important stops. 7
10 BUNTY AFOA: More game-time this week for big Bunty, playing 37 minutes across two stints. Just seven runs for 47 metres, but excellent without the ball – 22 tackles, zero misses. 6.5
11 JACKSON FORD: Outstanding take of a short line dropout early on, but seconds late was guilty of an obstruction that rubbed out a Warriors try. Rarely out of the action thereafter, snaffling the ball off his own teammate to score a memorable try, chewed off 113 metres from 14 runs, and made 32 tackles. A penalty and a ruck infringement (as per) but one of his better performances against his former club. 7.5
12 MARATA NIUKORE: An absolute colussus in the first half with over 100 running metres as he continually proved a gigantic handful for Jack Bird. Went to the bin for another high shot early in the second half and was a bit quieter in the 15 minutes he did play after the break. 7.5
13 TOHU HARRIS: Close to the best player on the field in the first half, cracking triple figures in the running metres departing and finishing with a game-high 62 post-contact metres among 156 from 18 carries. Involved as a ball-player – though perhaps not quite as much with Walker returning – and had some nice touches, while he made 27 tackles. 8
14 DYLAN WALKER: A welcome 44-minute return that was highlighted by a wonderful take of an attacking bomb before (perhaps unintentionally) handing it off for Ford to score. A busy boy with 14 runs for 90 metres and 16 tackles, along with 12 passes. 7
15 JOSH CURRAN: Played the last 26 minutes and seemed more prominent than stats of two runs and 11 tackles suggest. Came up with some big defensive plays down the Warriors’ end during the last quarter. 6
16 BAYLEY SIRONEN: Came on at dummy-half during the first half for Egan and looked good, while his opening stint garnered a (wee bit dodgy) try from a Johnson grubber. Returning on the edge for the last 12 minutes and made a couple of strong charges. Made 23 tackles in his 33 minutes on the park. 6.5
17 TOM ALE: Given just 17 minutes and didn’t quite pile up the usual numbers he has an impressive habit of in short periods, though did nothing wrong and had three runs and eight tackles. 5
Categories: Previews + Reviews, WARRIORS NEWS
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