NZ Warriors vs. Nth QLD Cowboys, NRL live scores, blog
Roar Guru By Adam Scroggy, 1 Jul 2012 Adam Scroggy is a Roar Guru
The New Zealand Warriors will be looking to keep in touch with the top 8 when they take on a North Queensland Cowboys outfit impacted heavily by Origin commitments. Join us for live scores and commentary from 2.00pm AEST.
As always, the Warriors are unaffected by Origin and will field an almost full-strength line-up boosted by the returns of Nathan Friend and Michael Luck. Manu Vatuvei is the only big name missing, and he’ll be replaced by Glen Fisiiahi on the wing.
North Queensland, meanwhile, will be without Johnathan Thurston, Matthew Scott, James Tamou and Brent Tate – though they will have welcomed the news that Matthew Bowen has not been called into the Queensland squad to replace Billy Slater and will take his place at fullback this afternoon.
In 2012, the Cowboys have shown that they don’t need Thurston to win matches; last week, Thurston very much took a back seat as Bowen, Ray Thompson and Aaron Payne orchestrated a strong victory over the Raiders.
However, the absence of their two starting props (Scott and Tamou) comes as a big loss up against a Warriors pack that’s known to get physical.
The Cowboys will no doubt look to use their big men on the edges, with the likes of Gavin Cooper, Glenn Hall and Jason Taumololo having a lot of success this year running strong lines in the attacking zone.
With that in mind though, it’s hard to go past the Warriors in this one. Playing at home, sitting two points out of the eight and facing weakened opponents, this is a must-win game for the New Zealanders, who have shown glimpses of brilliance in 2012 but have failed to put together a consistent run thus far.
Indeed, if they don’t come out firing and deliver a big win over the Cowboys here, it would be fair to begin questioning their premiership credentials as we head towards the business end of the season.
Can the Warriors dispose of the Cowboys and keep themselves in finals contention, or will North Queensland overcome the loss of key players to post a big upset? Join us from 2pm for live score updates and debate on our live blog, and be sure to give us your opinion in the space below if you’re watching.
Sport, all day long. Does this sound too good to be true? We're searching for a Group Sales Manager to lead our team in Sydney. If you're a sales star who doesn't mind a hit, kick, throw, or cycle, we want to hear from you. Apply now.
The Crowd Says (75) | Page 1 of Comments
The Roar Live Blog: Latest comments displayed at the top of the page | Click here to jump to leave a comment
Have Your Say
- Explore:
- live blog, New Zealand Warriors, North Queensland Cowboys, NRL, Rugby League
4:05pm
Adam Scroggy said | 4:05pm | Report comment
That concludes today’s coverage of Warriors vs. Cowboys on The Roar. Thanks for joining us!
3:53pm
Adam Scroggy said | 3:53pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 35 – Cowboys 18
There was a point when it looked like this one could go either way; the Cowboys forced their way back into the contest after scoring the first try of the second half.
There was a crucial call soon after when, with NQ trailing by four, Hall was incorrectly ruled to have stripped the ball from Tupou while the Cowboys had the Warriors on the back foot. To the Warriors credit, they capitalised on that reprieve with a controlled display close to the Cowboys’ line. NQ defended admirably, but Johnson and Maloney both managed to win repeat sets and eventually the pressure was too much for the Cowboys to handle.
The Warriors were brilliant at times, with Mateo and Johnson tearing the Cowboys to pieces occasionally. At other times, they looked every bit the inconsistent team that sees them precariously perched at the edge of the top eight. That controlled performance late in the second half is a good sign, but they need to learn to play like that for 80 minutes if they’re to trouble the big guns this year.
The Cowboys won’t be too unhappy with their performance; they fought hard with many of their big stars missing and no one really expected them to get the points today.
There will be concern over Ray Thompson who left the field with a shoulder injury in the first half, while Warriors fans will also hold their breath as Konrad Hurrell was taken from the field late in the contest — no word on his injury yet.
3:49pm
Adam Scroggy said | 3:49pm | Report comment
Full-time: Warriors 35 – Cowboys 18
NQ can’t capitalise on their late opportunity and there’s the full-time siren — Warriors win this one by a margin of 17.
3:47pm
Adam Scroggy said | 3:47pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 35 – Cowboys 18
79′ Intercept by Feleti Mateo as the Cowboys try a short-side play. Warriors drop the ball a couple of plays later, and there’s some concern for Konrad Hurrell now — he’s being taken from the field, so potential bad news for NZ late in this one…
3:46pm
Adam Scroggy said | 3:46pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 35 – Cowboys 18
78′ Kane Linnett with a big break and NQ have the chance to post some late points…
3:43pm
Adam Scroggy said | 3:43pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 35 – Cowboys 18
76′ Maloney drives the ball hard and low and it goes into touch, scrum feed to NQ from their own 20m.
3:41pm
Adam Scroggy said | 3:41pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 35 – Cowboys 18
75′ FIELD GOAL WARRIORS! With Cowboys back pedalling, Maloney opts to take the one point. Would have been surprised if NQ could have held them out there, so interesting choice by Maloney, but the game is all but over.
3:40pm
Adam Scroggy said | 3:40pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 34 – Cowboys 18
74′ Mateo with another line break and Warriors are on the attack again!
3:39pm
Adam Scroggy said | 3:39pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 34 – Cowboys 18
72′ That continued pressure has sapped the Cowboys of energy and, after posting their first try, they had no problem going the length of the field from the kick-off to post a second.
Maloney converts from the sideline.
3:38pm
Adam Scroggy said | 3:38pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 32 – Cowboys 18
71′ TRY WARRIORS! Johnson slices through again from a lovely Mateo pass! Matty Bowen does brilliantly AGAIN to run him down, but they can’t hold Lewis Brown who crashes over from the play-the-ball, and that’ll be the game for NZ.
3:37pm
Adam Scroggy said | 3:37pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 28 – Cowboys 18
70′ Cowboys try the short kick-off but NZ emerge with the ball.
3:36pm
Adam Scroggy said | 3:36pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 28 – Cowboys 18
69′ The Cowboys showed tremendous heart and desperation to hold NZ out for three sets in a row, but cool heads from both Johnson and Maloney saw them win repeat sets and they’ve finally managed to crack NQ here with 10 minutes remaining. Good patience and maturity shown by the Warriors and NQ now face a mountain to climb if they’re to win this one.
Maloney converts.
3:35pm
Adam Scroggy said | 3:35pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 26 – Cowboys 18
68′ TRY WARRIORS! Nathan Friend crashes over from dummy half, and the mounting pressure from the Warriors has proven too much for NQ to handle!
3:34pm
Adam Scroggy said | 3:34pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 22 – Cowboys 18
67′ More desperation defence from the Cowboys, and the Warriors can’t break them! Maloney chips to the edge and it’s fielded by Faifai Loa, but he’s taken in-goal by the NZ defence and the Warriors now get their fourth set in a row! Surely they can’t hold them out much longer?
3:32pm
Adam Scroggy said | 3:32pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 22 – Cowboys 18
65′ Cowboys up to the task defensively, holding the Warriors out again! Johnson does well on the last tackle as he places another grubber into the Cowboys’ in-goal and Bowen is forced to take it dead. Third set in a row coming now for NZ.
3:31pm
Adam Scroggy said | 3:31pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 22 – Cowboys 18
63′ Warriors nearly score twice, first through Maloney then through Johnson. Desperation defence from Dallas Johnson saves the try!
Maloney grubbers for himself but Linnett just beats him to the ball to knock it dead. Line drop-out comes from NQ now…
3:29pm
Adam Scroggy said | 3:29pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 22 – Cowboys 18
62′ Morgan’s grubber is cleaned up by Locke but the Cowboys are up in their faces defensively. Warriors catch a break as Hall is ruled to have stripped the ball from Tupou — bad call by the referee, Tupou lost it cold. Bit of luck goes NZ’s way there.
3:28pm
Adam Scroggy said | 3:28pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 22 – Cowboys 18
61′ Exciting stuff here with both teams making plenty of breaks — both defences look tired! Cowboys have possession here close to the Warriors’ line and now they have the chance to hit the lead for the first time in this match!
3:27pm
Adam Scroggy said | 3:27pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 22 – Cowboys 18
60′ Cowboys go close to scoring through Taumololo, it’s end-to-end footy here! Payne with a brain snap throws a pass straight to Maloney and NZ come up with possession.
3:26pm
Adam Scroggy said | 3:26pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 22 – Cowboys 18
59′ Kevin Locke with a line break! He’s in the clear, but Matty Bowen runs him down and makes a trysaving tackle! Bowen strips him of the ball on top of that and the Cowboys come up with possession. Great work by Locke and even better by Bowen to save the try!
3:25pm
Adam Scroggy said | 3:25pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 22 – Cowboys 18
58′ Johnson with a great kick that sits up in NQ’s corner, and the Warriors have them pinned in their own territory.
3:23pm
Adam Scroggy said | 3:23pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 22 – Cowboys 18
56′ Matulino, Mateo and Packer back on for the Warriors — it was them who really got the Warriors on the front foot early in this match. Let’s see if they can have an impact late in the second.
3:20pm
Adam Scroggy said | 3:20pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 22 – Cowboys 18
54′ Bowen makes the conversion and now it’s game on!
3:19pm
Adam Scroggy said | 3:19pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 22 – Cowboys 16
53′ TRY COWBOYS! Joel Riethmuller busts through the line and off-loads to Morgan who draws the fullback, and Gavin Cooper scores under the posts! NQ needed to post first points of the second half, and they have!
3:18pm
Adam Scroggy said | 3:18pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 22 – Cowboys 12
51′ Bowen goes high on the last again — Locke with a spectacular leap to take it. Great work there by Locke under pressure.
3:17pm
Adam Scroggy said | 3:17pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 22 – Cowboys 12
50′ Warriors with a bit of razzle-dazzle trying to run the ball late in the count ends with Hurrell throwing the ball over his head to his winger, but it’s ruled forward and NQ have the scrum feed just inside their own half.
3:14pm
Adam Scroggy said | 3:14pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 22 – Cowboys 12
48′ Knock-on by James Maloney and that’s another let-off for the Cowboys.
3:13pm
Adam Scroggy said | 3:13pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 22 – Cowboys 12
47′ Forward pass from Michael Morgan as the Cowboys tried to raid down the left-hand side in their own territory, and that could be a costly error as the Warriors have the opportunity to attack now.
3:12pm
Adam Scroggy said | 3:12pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 22 – Cowboys 12
45′ Bowen puts the ball high. It’s uncontested by the Cowboys and Ben Henry takes it well for NZ.
3:11pm
Adam Scroggy said | 3:11pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 22 – Cowboys 12
44′ NO TRY! Tupou has done brilliantly to get the ball down — he had no right to score it but he came within a whisker. His foot was ruled to have touched the line just before he planted the ball. Cowboys with an important let-off there.
3:09pm
Adam Scroggy said | 3:09pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 22 – Cowboys 12
44′ VIDEO REFEREE! Lousi with a big break to the Warriors and it might have led to a try to Tupou on the right-hand side! We’ll check to see if he got it down before being taken into touch…
3:07pm
Adam Scroggy said | 3:07pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 22 – Cowboys 12
42′ Good set from the Cowboys to begin and they muscle up in defence off the back of it, putting plenty of pressure on NZ early. Good start from the Cowboys and just what Neil Henry would have been looking for.
3:06pm
Adam Scroggy said | 3:06pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 22 – Cowboys 12
41′ We’re back here in the second half and the Cowboys work it out from their line. Let’s see if they can complete a set to start this second half…
2:55pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:55pm | Report comment
Half-time: Warriors 22 – Cowboys 12
Neither of these sides are known to have trouble posting points and this has certainly been the case so far. The Warriors looked all over the Cowboys early after NQ made a few bad errors in their own territory; the likes of Johnson, Maloney and Mateo all contributed to post easy points for the home side.
When the Cowboys finally had a chance of their own in good territory they scored immediately, and it soon became clear that they could be a chance in this match if they can just control the ball. Neither side looks particularly capable of defending its own line, though NQ improved later in the half.
Unfortunately for the Cowboys, NZ will start the second half with a 10-point lead and one or two tries early on could be enough to bury them. The visitors will need to post first points in the second half if they’re to win this one and will need to control the ball much better than they have so far. If NZ can do the same, they should have no problem holding on for the win here.
2:53pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:53pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 22 – Cowboys 12
40′ Warriors can’t capitalise — good defensive set from the Cowboys, and they survive. The score will remain 22-12 at half-time.
2:55pm
NF said | 2:55pm | Report comment
Under 10 points is ok for Cowboys they could steal it second half.
2:52pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:52pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 22 – Cowboys 12
39′ Maloney with a high ball that comes down in the Cowboys’ own in-goal area, and it’s ruled to be knocked dead by the Cowboys. Line drop-out coming and a chance for NZ to post points just before half-time…
2:49pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:49pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 22 – Cowboys 12
37′ Cowboys getting a roll on with a good set after the kick-off and they trap the Warriors 15m out from their own line. Can they score again before half-time to get themselves right back in this one?
2:47pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:47pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 22 – Cowboys 12
35′ A brilliant finish by Graham as he has done so many times this season, and again Bowen was the provider. The Cowboys are still very much in this one but they need to hold the ball, because they’ve shown they can score points when attacking the Warriors’ line.
Bowen with another sideline conversion and the gap is now 10 with five minutes remaining in the half.
2:45pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:45pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 22 – Cowboys 10
34′ TRY COWBOYS! Matt Bowen with a long ball to Ash Graham who scores his 15th try of the season with a spectacular dive into the corner!
2:45pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:45pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 22 – Cowboys 6
33′ Another penalty awarded to the Cowboys, this time for offside from the Warriors. That was late in the count and the pressure is building here on the Warriors…
2:44pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:44pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 22 – Cowboys 6
32′ Time is off here but Faifai Loa appears to be okay. The Cowboys win a penalty for Faifai Loa being worked over in the play the ball and will begin their set 10m out from the NZ line. Big chance for NQ here.
2:43pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:43pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 22 – Cowboys 6
32′ Cowboys try a raid down the left-hand side and look dangerous on that side of the field, where they scored their first try. Faifai Loa is pulled down 5m short of the line and has stayed down injured here…
2:42pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:42pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 22 – Cowboys 6
31′ Error here by the Warriors as Lillyman stands up with a messy play the ball. Cowboys feed the scrum from the halfway line. They need to take advantage of this opportunity and post some points before half-time.
2:41pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:41pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 22 – Cowboys 6
30′ Cowboys with a messy set that finishes with a mid-field bomb which is easily fielded by Locke. Not looking slick at all, the Cowboys, and looks like they’re starting to panic and try to force some passes to get themselves back into this one.
2:39pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:39pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 22 – Cowboys 6
27′ Maloney converts and it’s clear that the Warriors are going to put points on as long as the Cowboys continue to give them possession in good territory. Mateo having a blinder for the Warriors so far.
2:37pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:37pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 20 – Cowboys 6
26′ TRY WARRIORS! Too easy for the Warriors as Mateo holds the ball up for Lillyman to score.
2:37pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:37pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 16 – Cowboys 6
25′ Another mistake from the Cowboys working it out from their own line, this time through Riethmuller. Warriors will be hard to hold out now… Cowboys killing themselves with handling errors.
2:35pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:35pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 16 – Cowboys 6
25′ Nope, that will be no try. Matty Bowen in particular has done very well to force Slaimankhel over the sideline. It was all too easy for Johnson though who is having a field day down the left-hand side!
2:34pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:34pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 16 – Cowboys 6
25′ VIDEO REFEREE! Johnson slices through on the left again! He finds Slaimankhel who crashes over in the corner, but looks like he might’ve been taken into touch by the Cowboys’ defence…
2:33pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:33pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 16 – Cowboys 6
24′ Thompson is leaving the field and Anthony Mitchell takes his place as the Cowboys take their line drop-out.
2:33pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:33pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 16 – Cowboys 6
24′ It’s a shoulder injury to Thompson and he looks to be in a fair bit of pain…
2:32pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:32pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 16 – Cowboys 6
24′ Cowboys look stronger in defence on their own line in that set, but the Warriors win a repeat set from a Johnson grubber.
There’s concern over Ray Thompson who is down injured behind the dead-ball line after cleaning that ball up.
2:30pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:30pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 16 – Cowboys 6
22′ Solid set from the Cowboys after points and Bowen’s kick is charged down by the Warriors. The ball galls to Ash Graham who was in an offside position, so Warriors win the penalty.
2:28pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:28pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 16 – Cowboys 6
20′ Cowboys score with their first possession in good field position, and that’s a promising sign for them. If they can hold the ball, they may be able to get themselves back into this one.
Bowen converts from the sideline and it’s now 16-6.
2:27pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:27pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 16 – Cowboys 4
19′ TRY COWBOYS! Plenty of bodies in motion for the Cowboys on the left-hand side and Bowen feeds the ball to Linnett to score!
2:27pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:27pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 16 – Cowboys 0
19′ Glenn Hall looks to lose control of the ball but another fortunate call from the referee sees the Warriors penalised. They can’t hold the ball, the Cowboys, but they’ve had a couple of lucky breaks in the last couple of minutes. Can they capitalise and get themselves back in this match?
2:27pm
Trent said | 2:27pm | Report comment
warriors to win 34-6
2:26pm
Mantis said | 2:26pm | Report comment
Jesus, we are going to get a hammering at this rate. Thanks NRL for scheduling this game for when we are understrength. Really fair. Keep up the good work.
2:24pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:24pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 16 – Cowboys 0
17′ Wait, no! Referee has ruled the ball was stripped by the Warriors, so Cowboys get a break there.
2:24pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:24pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 16 – Cowboys 0
16′ Gavin Cooper with another mistake working the ball out from the Cowboys line. Cowboys cannot complete a set here. Warriors will attack again.
2:22pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:22pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 16 – Cowboys 0
14′ Maloney converts from right in front and Warriors could put 50 on them at this rate.
2:21pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:21pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 14 – Cowboys 0
14′ TRY WARRIORS! It came from a high ball which was contested by both Bowen and Johnson. Checking to see whether there was a knock-on from Johnson but it all looks good, and Henry is awarded the try.
2:20pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:20pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 10 – Cowboys 0
14′ VIDEO REFEREE! We have another possible try here to Ben Henry for the Warriors!
2:19pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:19pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 10 – Cowboys 0
13′ That’s twice simple errors from the Cowboys have led to Warriors tries. You simply cannot give away possession to this Warriors side that close to your own line, especially in Auckland.
Maloney’s sideline conversion attempt is unsuccessful and the margin stays at 10.
2:15pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:15pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 10 – Cowboys 0
11′ TRY WARRIORS! Kevin Locke with a cut-out pass to Konrad Hurrell and the big youngster takes advantage of the overlap for his ninth try of the season.
2:14pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:14pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 6 – Cowboys 0
10′ Matulino carving up the metres for the Warriors so far — NQ can’t seem to contain him.
Mistake from Gavin Cooper for the Cowboys working it out from his own line, Warriors with another big chance!
2:12pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:12pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 6 – Cowboys 0
7′ Mateo with a big break for the Warriors! He finds Locke on the inside but Locke is run down — he throws another pass that goes to ground and it’s cleaned up by the Cowboys. NQ survive but bad signs for the visitors so far, and the Warriors look dangerous.
2:10pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:10pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 6 – Cowboys 0
5′ It was a mistake early in the count from Aaron Payne that gave the Warriors good field position. An off-load from Mateo found Johnson who sliced through the Cowboys’ right-side defence before passing back inside for Henry to score under the posts.
Maloney converts and Warriors punish Cowboys for an incomplete set early in this one.
2:09pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:09pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 4 – Cowboys 0
4′ TRY WARRIORS! Ben Henry has crossed after some Shaun Johnson brilliance!
2:08pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:08pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 0 – Cowboys 0
3′ A big charge from Matulino gets the Warriors on the front foot. Johnson goes high on the last — a Warrior gets his hand to the ball but it’s cleaned up by another in an offside position. Penalty to the Cowboys and they find touch just inside their own half.
2:07pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:07pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 0 – Cowboys 0
2′ Both sides get through their sets to begin the match. Bomb from Ray Thompson on the last is well handled by Bill Tupou.
2:06pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:06pm | Report comment
Live score: Warriors 0 – Cowboys 0
1′ There’s the kick-off and we’re on at Mt Smart Stadium!
2:04pm
Adam Scroggy said | 2:04pm | Report comment
Cowboys are running out now, Warriors will follow and it will be the Cowboys kicking off shortly.
1:55pm
Adam Scroggy said | 1:55pm | Report comment
Good afternoon footy fans and welcome to today’s live coverage of Warriors vs. Cowboys on The Roar.
Team changes to start things off: Glen Fisiiahi has been ruled out for the Warriors and Omar Slaimankhel, who made his NRL debut a couple of weeks back, will take his place on the wing.
For the Cowboys, new signing Anthony Mitchell — who made his way from the Roosters before the June 30 deadline — will come into the squad in jersey 19, with Cory Paterson and Moses Pangi dropping off the bench.