The North Queensland Cowboys are looking to continue their run of form as they host the New Zealand Warriors from 1300 Smiles Stadium. Join The Roar from 5:15pm (AEST) for live scores and commentary.
Feel free to leave a comment in the section below with your thoughts on the game.
The Cowboys started the season in horrible fashion, with no wins to their name after three weeks of competition.
Since then however, on the back of some Johnathan Thurston brilliance and their forward pack really starting to play good football, they have managed three straight wins against the Melbourne Storm, the Penrith Panthers and the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
The Cowboys’ second half against the Rabbitohs was the best half of footy played against last year’s premiers since the beginning of last season, as North Queensland ran in 26 unanswered points.
The Warriors meanwhile celebrated Manu Vatuvei’s 200th game last weekend in style with a good win over the Wests Tigers at Mount Smart Stadium. This leaves them with the same record as the North Queensland Cowboys in what is proving so far to be a typically inconsistent Warriors season, sitting ninth.
The Warriors are going to need to score a lot of points to win here. Chad Townsend has been great, but Shaun Johnson will really needs to stand up to help cover the loss of Sam Tomkins.
The Cowboys will likely play a grinding style of football and wear down the Warriors with their monster forward pack like James Tamou, Matt Scott and Jason Taumalolo.
Prediction
In what should be a high-scoring affair, the Cowboys should be too strong for the Warriors.
North Queensland by 12.
Join The Roar from 5:15pm (AEST) for our live coverage, and remember to leave your thoughts and comments as the game progresses.
Scott Pryde
Expert
They were only ever in a position to win because of their fast start in my opinion.
Sylvester
Guest
How the Warriors were ever in a position to win is beyond me, but at the same it seems unbelievable they ended up losing.
Scott Pryde
Expert
They played alright, plenty of improvement needed
up in the north
Roar Rookie
It's not just that the Cowbies didn't play all that well. They got the win after all. But they still have a looong way to go in this compettition.
Scott Pryde
Expert
He was awesome tonight.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me here on the Roar this evening for our live coverage of the 2015 NRL Season as the North Queensland Cowboys managed to defeat the New Zealand Warriors in a grand stand finish and I hope you enjoyed the coverage. Plenty of sport going on right now and Super Saturday is continuing on the Roar.as the Melbourne Storm host the Sydney Roosters at AAMI Park. Why not check out Alan Nicolea's blog here: http://www.theroar.com.au/2015/04/18/melbourne-storm-vs-sydney-roosters-nrl-live-scores-blog I'll be back tomorrow for the Newcastle Knights vs Parramatta Eels game from 3:45pm right here on the Roar so I hope to see you all then. Until then, that's it from me Enjoy the rest of your evening.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Granville is proving to be an exceptional signing.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME: Cowboys 28 Warriors 24 Well, in the end Jake Granville was the hero for the Cowboys scoring a hatrick of tries as Jonathon Thurston is a winner in his 250th game. For the Warriors they were their own worse enemy this evening dropping the ball at what seemed every opportunity after getting away to a flyer in the first 20 minutes and being 12 - 0 up after just 8 minutes. The Warriors switched on and off all night and in the end made 12 errors completing only 23 from 35 sets compared to the Cowboys 5 errors. When the Warriors did switch on Chad Townsend was again the man who looked dangerous although Shaun Johnson seemed to play better tonight than what he has done. The Warrior have plenty to work on with only the one second half try to Manu Vatuvei. The Cowboys, were not perfect either by any stretch of the imagination. They were ordinary at both ends of the field at certain times however were kept in the game by the sloppiness of the Warriors. Jake Granville was brilliant for the Cowboiys and the combination between Jonathon Thurston and Lachlan Coote was really good for the Cowboys. In the end they were good enough to get the win.
Scott Pryde
Expert
80' - Short kick off but forget it. Brilliant take from the Cowboys. and they just hold the ball for a couple of plays. Cowboys win as the siren goes in the background. What a game. FULLTIME: NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS defeat NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS 24
Scott Pryde
Expert
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL by JONATHON THURSTON. 24 seconds to go. Cowboys 28 Warriors 24
Blake Standfield
Roar Guru
Great game! Not a high quality contest but it was edge of the seat whenever either team was in attack.
Scott Pryde
Expert
78' - TRY COWBOYS, JAKE GRANVILLE Now the Cowoboys over half way and make a break down the left which gets them close before bringing it back to the right where desperate defence from the Warriors leads to a knock on. Following the knock on the Cowboys have a new set and come back to the left. Granville making use of a tired Warriors defence dives over from dummy half. Video Referee! Has this got them home? Incredible stuff. Replays show the ball on the ground. green lights! Cowboys hit the front and he has been brilliant tonight as he completes his hatrick Cowboys 26 Warriors 24
Scott Pryde
Expert
77' - Granville and Matt Scott here muscling up in defence as the Cowboys desperately try to kep the Warriors in their own end. Townsend kicks from inside his own 40 and almost got a 40 /20. Coote scrambles to stop it and does. Warriors 24 Cowboys 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
76' - Taumololo has a charging run past halfway here and the Cowboys get onto the attack. Thurston brings it left and is tackled so Coote kicks on the last. It's high and the challenge for the ball results in a knock on from Morgan as he got himself over Vatuvei. Time running out for the Cowboys. Warriors 24 Cowboys 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
75' - The Warriors trying to run their way up the field here and doing a solid job of it as Mannering brings them towards halfway. Now on the last Johnson bombs it from just past halfway. hurrell gets there and attempts to hit it backwards but it goes forward. Warriors 24 Cowboys 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
74' - The Cowboys go left and Cooper almost goes through. Now they come back to the left and Morgan has dropped it cold with no pressure on what so ever really. 6 to go. Warriors 24 Cowboys 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
73' - Oh you must be kidding! The Warriors have made yet another error. Vatuvei getting up to play the ball far too quickly and it pops up off his foot at blistering speed. Knock on by Friend at dummy half and the Cowboys with a massive chance here. Warriors 24 Cowboys 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
72' - Now the Cowboys with a fairly good set and a half break down the right. The bomb goes up and comes down with Jonathon Wright. Well taken. Warriors 24 Cowboys 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL by JONATHON THURSTON 2 point game here. Grandstand finish coming up. Warriors 24 Cowboys 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
71' - TRY COWBOYS, JAKE GRANVILLE Off the back of the Warriors error the Cowboys inside 10 meters here. Thurston looking dangerous before Scott charges at the line. Now Granville crashes over out of dummy half!! Video ref It is. Great work this from Granville. Replays look like he has held it I think. The ref has called try on field. Yep green lights! The Warriors were watching Thurston, morgan and Coote but great work from Granville. Warriors 24 Cowboys 20