TWL RD 3: KINGZ CONTAINER CREW WARRIORS PLAYER RATINGS
The highlights package might not get as many re-runs as last week, but the Warriors’ 14-6 defeat of Sydney Roosters in a Friday night slugfest was arguably a more important step in the new-look line-up’s progression than the free-scoring victory over Manly.
Relentless line-speed, physicality and excellent scrambling, along with superior ball control and some well-taken tries, underpinned a gritty end to the Roosters’ eight-match, seven-year dominance of the Warriors.
The hosts’ attack often looked devoid of creativity and options, but the lack of aesthetics was countered by an impressive ability to overcome pockets of adversity: conceding the opening try and a long-but-fruitless period down the Roosters’ end, and an enforced reshuffle after Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was forced out of the game 16 minutes into the second half when they still trailed.
The Warriors made just two line-breaks (to the Roosters’ five) – but they both resulted in barnstorming Ali Leiataua tries, while a mercurial display from Chanel Harris-Tavita peaked with a drought-breaking kick-and-chase try to put his side in front for the first time with 15 minutes to go. There was an admirable, even unfamiliar, calm about the way the Warriors closed out the contest from that point.
There’s plenty of improvement required before we start getting excited about the prospect of finals – and, despite the mild hysteria after the Sea Eagles win, Luke Metcalf has the most ground to make up individually to get up to standard given his role in the team – but two wins on the back of the Las Vegas disaster is an enormous result. Mount Smart is an unwelcoming fortress again and a road trip next Sunday to face Wests Tigers gives the Warriors the opportunity to go 3-1 (or better) to start a season for just the fifth time in their history.
Some bumper scores in this week’s Kingz Container Crew Warriors player ratings.
Watch all the highlights as the Warriors take on the Roosters!#NRLWarriorsRoosters pic.twitter.com/ns81fg83FD
— NRL (@NRL) March 21, 2025
1 CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD: It’s taken eight years since making his NRL debut for the club to reach the 50-game milestone in the Warriors jersey – and he marked it with an absolute archetypal CNK display. A mammoth 314 running metres was the cornerstone of it (and he seemed hungrier for runs in the last 10 minutes than at any point in the game) but he was safe as a bank at the back, had a team-high seven tackle-breaks and chalked up the assist for both of Leiataua’s tries as he made a ball-playing impact for the first time in 2025. Just magnificent. 9
2 TAINE TUAUPIKI: Least metres of the Warriors’ back five (101 metres on 12 runs) but every carry was high-quality and caused the Roosters’ defence issues – especially a searching run that preceded CHT’s go-ahead try – finishing with five tackle-breaks. Flat-footed infield as opposite Daniel Tupou made a couple of sideline breaks but also made some good defensive plays and gave a good account of himself in one of the biggest height mismatches of all time. 7
3 ALI LEIATAUA: What a fucken weapon. If Ali hadn’t arrived before, he certainly has now – storming over for a huge try in each half with a mouth-watering combination of raw power and great instincts for how to run a great line. Racked up 112 metres from 11 runs with five tackle-breaks and made 17 tackles – including some aggressive shots that left their mark – to outplay hyped union convert Mark Nawaqanitawase. That ‘best Warriors centre since Clinton Toopi’ tag TWL has lumbered him with looks more like being on the money by the week. 8.5
4 ADAM POMPEY: Solid performance at centre, and on the wing after shuffling out following RTS’s injury with 24 minutes to go. Very nearly scored a try in the corner soon after the switch and chewed through 135 metres on 14 carries, defended well but made a couple of errors. Should start on the wing next week with Rocco Berry coming in at centre if Rog is ruled out, but doing enough to hang onto his first-grade spot regardless. 6.5
5 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK: Was in the middle of another very industrious display when a hamstring injury – suffered while making a try-saving tackle of bungling opposite Dom Young (did you know he was 6-foot-7? Not sure if Glen Larmer and co. mentioned it) – ended his night early. Made 13 runs for 137 metres, defused a couple of kicks and defended well after a couple of dusty moments last week. 7
6 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA: Aside from producing the most crucial play of the match – a bomb-and-regather try out of nowhere to end a 40-minute scoring famine – CHT continues to justify his somewhat contentious selection in the halves with busy outings fully of purpose and quality. Again impressed with his desire to take on the line with his running game (seven runs for 69 metres), defended superbly )19 tackles) and did as much kicking as his halves partner…with reasonable results. One glaring handling error in the second half was a rare misstep. Looks like a leader. 8
7 LUKE METCALF: Deafeningly quiet and jittery start culminated in knock-ons at both ends of the field as the Warriors’ early dominance rapidly unravelled into a Roosters try. But straightened up the attack beautifully to help set up Leiataua’s response soon afterwards. Similar story in the second half, where his standout moment was playing out the back to Charnze again to lay on another try for Ali. Long kicking game was decent, short kicking game and last-tackle options, for the most part were poor, while his hesitancy to run (two runs for nine metres tonight) is baffling when it’s the strongest part of his game. Fumbling for the keys to this team but will be shielded from scrutiny by the result, a couple of nice moments on attack and the impetus of his No.6. 5.5
8 JAMES FISHER-HARRIS: Looks like he’s been playing his whole career at Mount Smart. Another grunty display from the co-captain, churning through 37 tackles and 14 runs for 128 metres and consistently got quick play-the-balls. World-class and proving it. 7.5
9 WAYDE EGAN: Bided his time to unleash his running game, before exploding late in the first half and throughout the second to constantly put the Roosters on the back foot and finish with 98 metres from 10 runs. Topped the tackle count again with 48 in his third straight 80-minute showing. 8
10 MITCHELL BARNETT: Largely went under the radar but rolled up his sleeves to chalked up a 2024-esque 15 runs for 159 metres, along with 28 tackles. Two very good shifts of about 24 minutes each. 7
11 KURT CAPEWELL: Has turned things around since Vegas, working super-hard (including an invaluable kick clean-up on the opposite side of the field during the first half) in the second-row before slotting in at centre as he did with aplomb so often last year for the last 24 minutes. Tallied 34 tackles and 10 runs for 84 metres, plus three tackle-breaks. 7
12 MARATA NIUKORE: Busy on both sides of the ball early before an injury scare, but continued to toil hard defensively and finished with 31 tackles before calling it a night at the 50-minute mark. Six runs for 48 metres. 6
13 ERIN CLARK: Hard to overlook the one-one-one miss on the goal-line as Whyte scored the Roosters’ only try, but was otherwise excellent in 45 minutes on the park. Again led the Warriors’ forwards with 164 metres from 15 runs, along with 28 tackles. 7
14 DYLAN WALKER: Much longer shift than last week and made an impressive 14 runs for 134 metres and 26 tackles in 46 minutes, and revived his playmaking game (albeit with modest returns) with 25 passes.6
15 JACKSON FORD: Came on for JFH in the 18th minute and went so well Webster left him on until fulltime. Absolute shift from Ford, making 43 tackles and 15 runs for 148 metres (including 78 post-contact, second only to CNK), regularly catching the eye with his quality on both sides of the ball. Even had a hand in the Warriors’ last try. One of his best. 8
16 DEMETRIC VAIMAUGA: Injected in the first half this time but had a disastrous start with a penalty conceded and an error within minutes. Turned it around and made six powerhouse runs for 67 metres and 14 tackles, but was hauled off after 19 minutes as the big-gun middles returned from the bench. 5
17 LEKA HALASIMA: Entered the fray with the match very much in the balance and produced half an hour of footy that was hard not to get carried away with. Seven barnstorming runs for 90 metres (47 post-contact), five tackle-breaks and an offload, while his 15 tackles included some bone-jarring efforts. What a prospect. 7
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