3. Ali Leiataua – 5
Had a big job marking Herbie Farnworth and largely did a great job until the final quarter. Finished with nine missed tackles, which piled up at the end of the game.
20. Adam Pompey – 4
A very late inclusion after Leka Halasima was ruled out. Had some moments but made a careless shoulder charge and was sent to the sinbin, which really sums up his season.
5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira – 3
Has really struggled for form of late and that continued again. Not getting involved enough. Gave away two penalties, including one careless one for raising his boot jumping for a high kick.
6. Chanel Harris-Tavita – 4
Has been impressive during the season but struggled to make the step up for finals football. Had three errors in what was his most disappointing performance in some time. Did the bulk of the kicking but didn’t generate enough metres with the ball.
7. Te Maire Martin – 4
Had some nice moments with the ball and surprisingly finished with nine tackle breaks. Had a few moments he would probably rather have back, particularly in the second half with his short kicking game, when the Warriors should have been more clinical.
8. James Fisher-Harris – 8
The Warriors were immense when he was on the field. There was a noticeable drop-off when he was off. Finished with 168m from 20 carries, the most of the forwards and 41 tackles with just one miss. Definitely was a captain’s knock, just not a winning one.
9. Wayde Egan – 4
Was very crafty in the first half and did a great job finding gaps and space in the Dolphins defence, but those gaps closed quickly in the second half when those opportunities were scarce. Overall, probably his most disappointing performance of the season.
10. Mitch Barnett – 6
Ran with authority for 136m and had played with plenty of fire in his belly. Loved the physical challenge.
11. Kurt Capewell – 5
Made some great defensive plays, although was credited with seven missed tackles. Was sent to the sinbin for coming in late as tensions heated up and was fairly quiet once back out on the field.
12. Jacob Laban – 5
Tackled like a machine, finishing with a team-high 42, however he was credited with nine misses and two ineffective tackles. One of the misses led to Farnworth’s try and the other saw the Dolphins make a break for their second. Also had three errors.
13. Erin Clark – 6
Helped lay a platform in the first half with some great shifting, but that impact failed to carry over into the second half.
Interchange:
14. Sam Healey – 4
Not his fault, but the wheels had fallen off by the time he came on to the field and the Warriors didn’t have much ball.
15. Tanner Stowers-Smith – 4
Has consistently been one of the Warriors’ best during the season but struggled to bring that form to finals. Made an error with his first touch of the ball, admittedly, the pass from Egan was not good and he never really recovered.
16. Demitric Vaimauga – 6
Easily the best of the Warriors’ bench contingent. Strong carries, powerful defence, exactly what you want.
17. Jackson Ford – 5
Great to have Ford back and he didn’t miss a beat. Had 62m from eight carries and made 10 tackles. Went through the wars though and ended up picking up a concerning ankle injury.
Interchange players not used: Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Jett Cleary
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.
