Sliding scale for most of the Warriors

BY DEAN LONERGAN

OPINION: The Warriors started this year with plenty of promise. But in the space of a few short months they've gone from potential contenders to strugglers. So how do the players rate out of a perfect 10?

Patrick Ah Van 6

Has been reasonably steady without being spectacular. He has three tries this year but that doesn't balance out the 3.2 tackles on average per game he misses.

Lewis Brown 6.5

Not a player we've seen a lot of but the stats would suggest that he probably deserves a bit more game time.

Nathan Fien?

I'm not prepared to give Nathan Fien a rating because the Warriors are letting him go.

Ian Henderson 6.5

Although averaging 90 metres per game, Henderson is not getting in behind the ruck area to make the breaks he's capable of. Solid on defence.

Aaron Heremaia 6

I haven't really seen enough of Heremaia to offer a serious assessment on his abilities. It should be noted, however, that he has a high work-rate on defence.

Lance Hohaia 8

The super sub who has hopefully found a home in the No 6 jersey for the rest of the season.

Stacey Jones 8

I feel the criticism the Little General has copped this year has been totally unwarranted. He does his job every week and then some.

Denan Kemp 3

Has failed to make an impression since he's been here. Right now a very expensive acquisition if he's going to play for the Vulcans each week.

Jacob Lillyman 5.5

Solid on defence but at an average of only 60 metres each week on attack is symptomatic of the Warriors' attacking woes. Someone needs to put a chilli pepper up this boy's butt.

Kevin Locke 9

Three games into his NRL career, Locke has done everything that's been asked of him and more. He's doing what Denan Kemp was supposed to do. If current form continues, he will be a superstar. He's not tall compared to other wingers but he's got the right attitude.

Michael Luck 7.5

Ferocious on defence. Luck is averaging 47.3 tackles per game but that means he hasn't got a lot of gas left in the tank for attack. He's a tackling machine who pops up sporadically on attack.

Simon Mannering 5.5

He should be played in the forwards. He doesn't have the skill or the speed to be in the centres.

Ben Matulino 6.5

Has seen too few opportunities and needs more time on the field.

Wade McKinnon 7

Is still overcoming the knee injury that buggered his season in 2008. We've not seen anything from him this year like what he's actually capable of.

Joel Moon 5

Brought in to be the side's answer at standoff, Moon is slipping between the bench and Vulcans. He hasn't managed to continue the form seen in the first two or three games and seems to be going backwards rather than improving.

Russell Packer 7.5

I like this kid's explosiveness. When he holds the ball he has a huge impact on the game. He's a player with a lot of potential.

Steve Price 8

Along with Stacey Jones, the equal best performer in the team. At 154 metres per game, it's pretty easy to work out why he's referred to as the "Metre-Eater".

Sam Rapira 7.5

I really like Rapira. I think he's a hard nut who serves it up on both attack and defence. He has the potential to be one of our great props.

Jerome Ropati 3.5

A mighty player who is out of form.

Jesse Royal 6

Another player who shines on defence but doesn't offer a massive amount on attack.

Manu Vatuvei 7

A player of awesome capabilities who has the ability to overcome his deficiencies.

Coach Ivan Cleary 7.5

I really rate him as a coach and think he's had good results at the club since he's been there.

- © Fairfax NZ News