Despite losing to the Broncos, four One New Zealand Warriors players have made the NRL’s round 14 VB Hard Earned Team of the Week.
In a match the Warriors dominated in so many areas only to lose 22-26, fullback Charnze Nicoll Klokstad, winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, prop Addin Fonua Blake and captain Tohu Harris (once again) have secured their spots through exceptional individual contributions.
On a night when all four players made more than 200 metres, Nicoll-Klokstad was on the field only 65 minutes after being forced off controversially for a head injury assessment.
And yet he finished with 240 metres (including 76 post-contact metres) from 21 runs, scored a try, made eight tackle breaks and had five tackles without a miss in an error-free display.
Watene-Zelezniak had two tries, gained 241 metres (57 post-contact) from 21 runs, made a game-high three line breaks and had nine tackle breaks on a night when he also switched from the wing to fullback when Nicoll-Klokstad was off the field.
Fonua-Blake was again extraordinary. No try this week but in 68 minutes on the field he finished with a game-high 264 metres from 20 runs including an astonishing 111 post-contact metres. He had six tackle breaks, two off loads, 29 tackles without a miss and no errors.
As he has done consistently, Harris just kept turning up all night with another whole-hearted 80-minute contribution featuring 212 metres from 21 runs (70 post-co
ntact metres) and 39 tackles.
