New Zealand Warriors 16
North Queensland Cowboys 50
The North Queensland Cowboys have taken out a very costly, but all the same incredibly good victory over the New Zealand Warriors this evening in Auckland by 34 points. Despite an early score as the Warriors flew out of the blocks, the Cowboys put on 50 unanswered points against the hapless Warriors.
>>MATCH REPORT: Cowboys get come-back win over Warriors
Leading 16 – 0, the Warriors looked to be on fire after losing Jacob Lillyman to the first play of the game however in the 16th minute, James Tamou went down with a neck injury and almost a 10 minute stoppage ensued. From there the momentum of the game completely reversed as the Cowboys ran away with the contest.
The Cowboys meanwhile put in a complete team performance this evening however of particular note was Lachlan Coote and Johnathan Thurston who were brilliant in steering the team around, as was Michael Morgan until he picked up an injury at the end of the first half. Kyle Feldt and Juntin O’Neil almost formed a deadly combination, scoring five tries between them.
Early on, the Warriors new halves combination of Mason Limo and Tuimoala Lolohea were brilliant and Albert Vete was close to the best player on the park. Ryan Hoffman and Simon Mannering were also very good throughout the game.
The scoring started almost instantly when in the 6th minute, Tuimoala Lolohea made a break through the line about 20 metres out and beat Lachlan Coote with ease to score.
The next one came just three minutes later as they worked it to the left hand side and off a Cowboys error, on just the third play debutant Mason Limo put a grubber into the corner for Ken Maumalo to score.
The final Warriors try of the first half came to Dominique Peyroux after Lolohea shaped to kick on half way and ended up breaking straight through the line, grubbering along for Peyroux to touch down.
Following the injury of Tamou though the momentum swapped around straight away with Kyle Feldt scoring in the 19th minute in the right corner.
Five minutes later, Johnathan Thurston himself scored after Jake Granville darted out of dummy half and passed to Thurston who ran through a hole you could have driven a truck through.
Feldt scored again just four minutes out from half time, off some Thurston brilliance and then with just over a minute to go in the first half Ken Maumalo made an error right in front of his own goal posts. This led to a Cowboys scrum feed and an easy try for Justin O’Neill just a few minutes later.
At half time the Cowboys held the lead 24 points to 16.
Coming out after the half time break it was going to be very interesting to see which game the way went. The Warriors had statted things well, however they never got back to that as the Cowboys ran riot.
Thurston continued putting his foot on the game and Ben Hannant, along with Matt Scott gave the Cowboys a massive boost up the middle, ripping the Warriors forward pack to shreds.
The scoring in the second half started in the 47th minute through Ben Spina, after Johnathan Thurston put a kick across the ground and Rory Kostjaysyn was able to bat it back to Spina who, despite having players on his outside ignored them all and scored himself.
Coen Hess was the next to score from a perfectly executed Johnathan Thurston short ball in the 58th minute.
The final three tries came all within the final 15 minutes of the contest after Kyle Feldt picked up his hatrick, again Johnathan Thurston and Lachlan Coote involved in the play.
After Kane Linnett scored in the 75th minute down the left, it was Justin O’Neill’s turn in the 78th, allowing Thurston to kick the goal that brought up the half century.
At the end of the day, the Cowboys far to good for a Warriors outfit that after the first 20 minutes looked like they would have rathered be anywhere else. The only question now is about the injuries of James Tamou and Michael Morgan and how it could effect the Cowboys finals campaign.
The struggling New Zealand Warriors host the North Queensland Cowboys who want to bounce back from a loss last week. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:15pm (AEST).
A few short weeks ago the Warriors were one of the genuine competition heavyweights, until they suffered a big loss against the Sydney Roosters, and then in an important game against the Manly Sea Eagles they lost Shaun Johnson for the season.
Since Johnson’s injury the Warriors have lost all of their games in convincing fashion, and only three wins from three would give them a mathematical hope of making the finals.
The Cowboys meanwhile have been in good form for most of the season and as a result are just two points behind the ladder-leading Brisbane Broncos. In saying that, North Queensland are in fact coming into this game on the back of two straight losses, against the Sharks and the Rabbitohs.
In team news, the Warriors lose Sam Rapira to suspension, which means Albert Vete is drafted into the front row and Bodene Thompson joins the bench. Sione Lousi replaces Raymond Faitala-Mariner in the back row and Matthew Allwood is the 18th man.
For the Cowboys, Australian under 20s back-rower Coen Hess makes his debut from the interchange bench, with John Asiata starting in the second row, replacing Gavin Cooper who misses the trip across the Tasman.
For the Warriors, it’s all about shutting down Johnathan Thurston. Fail to do this and the Cowboys will run away with a monster win. On top of shutting down the Queensland and Australian half, the Warriors also have to dominate up front to give Chad Townsend a chance of setting something up.
For the Cowboys it’s all about being patient, dominating possession and field territory, which will lead to plenty of points soon enough.
Prediction
Off the back of two straight losses, the Cowboys need to make a statement that they are still premiership contenders.
Cowboys by 24.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of this clash from 5:15pm (AEST), and don’t forget to comment if you’re following along.
Shades Carter
Roar Rookie
Typo, hope they're not seriously injured.
Shades Carter
Roar Rookie
Amazing, hope Morgan is seriously injured, same with Aussie Jim Tamou.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me this evening for The Roar's live coverage of the 2015 NRL Season as the North Queensland Cowboys took a storming and commanding victory over the New Zealand Warriors in Auckland. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. Beginning right now is a huge game between the Sydney Roosters and the Brisbane Broncos, so be sure to check out Shane Jones blog of that one right now: http://www.theroar.com.au/2015/08/22/sydney-roosters-vs-brisbane-broncos-nrl-live-scores-blog-3/ I'll be back for tomorrow's all important clash between the Manly Sea Eagles and the Parramatta Eels from Brookvale Oval from 3:45pm (AEST), so be sure to join me then for that one. I'll also be around for stage one of the 2015 Vuelta a Espana tomorrow morning from 2:30am (AEST). Enjoy the rest of your evening.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME: New Zealand Warriors 16 North Queensland Cowboys 50 The North Queensland Cowboys have taken out a very costly, but all the same incredibly good victory over the New Zealand Warriors this evening in Auckland by 34 points. Despite an early score as the Warriors flew out of the blocks, the Cowboys put on 50 unanswered points against the hapless Warriors. Leading 16 – 0, the Warriors looked to be on fire after losing Jacob Lillyman to the first play of the game however in the 16th minute, James Tamou went down with a neck injury and almost a 10 minute stoppage ensued. From there the momentum of the game completely reversed as the Cowboys ran away with the contest. The Cowboys, meanwhile put in a complete team performance this evening however of particular note was Lachlan Coote and Johnathan Thurston who were brilliant in steering the team around, as was Michael Morgan until he picked up an injury at the end of the first half. Kyle Feldt and Juntin O'Neil almost formed a deadly combination, scoring five tries between them. Early on, the Warriors new halves combination of Mason Limo and Tuimoala Lolohea were brilliant and Albert Vete was close to the best player on the park. Ryan Hoffman and Simon Mannering were also very good throughout the game. The scoring started almost instantly when in the 6th minute, Tuimoala Lolohea made a break through the line about 20 metres out and beat Lachlan Coote with ease to score. The next one came just three minutes later as they worked it to the left hand side and off a Cowboys error, on just the third play debutant Mason Limo put a grubber into the corner for Ken Maumalo to score. The final Warriors try of the first half came to Dominique Peyroux after Lolohea shaped to kick on half way and ended up breaking straight through the line, grubbering along for Peyroux to touch down. Following the injury of Tamou though the momentum swapped around straight away with Kyle Feldt scoring in the 19th minute in the right corner. Five minutes later, Johnathan Thurston himself scored after Jake Granville darted out of dummy half and passed to Thurston who ran through a hole you could have driven a truck through. Feldt scored again just four minutes out from half time, off some Thurston brilliance and then with just over a minute to go in the first half Ken Maumalo made an error right in front of his own goal posts. This led to a Cowboys scrum feed and an easy try for Justin O’Neill just a few minutes later. At half time the Cowboys held the lead 24 points to 16. Coming out after the half time break it was going to be very interesting to see which game the way went. The Warriors had statted things well, however they never got back to that as the Cowboys ran riot. Thurston continued putting his foot on the game and Ben Hannant, along with Matt Scott gave the Cowboys a massive boost up the middle, ripping the Warriors forward pack to shreds. The scoring in the second half started in the 47th minute through Ben Spina, after Johnathan Thurston put a kick across the ground and Rory Kostjaysyn was able to bat it back to Spina who, despite having players on his outside ignored them all and scored himself. Coen Hess was the next to score from a perfectly executed Johnathan Thurston short ball in the 58th minute. The final three tries came all within the final 15 minutes of the contest after Kyle Feldt picked up his hatrick, again Johnathan Thurston and Lachlan Coote involved in the play. After Kane Linnett scored in the 75th minute down the left, it was Justin O'Neill's turn in the 78th, allowing Thurston to kick the goal that brought up the half century. At the end of the day, the Cowboys far to good for a Warriors outfit that after the first 20 minutes looked like they would have rathered be anywhere else. The only question now is about the injuries of James Tamou and Michael Morgan and how it could effect the Cowboys finals campaign.
Josh
Guest
Forward, embarrassing game, but forward..
Scott Pryde
Expert
Full time wrap to come. What a win for the Cowboys. Thoughts Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
80' - The Cowboys bring it back past half way but that will be all this one wrote. Massive win. FULLTIME: NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS 50 defeat NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS 16
Bronco Juggernaut
Guest
another try before fulltime hopefully.
Scott Pryde
Expert
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL by JOHNATHAN THURSTON 50 unanswered points. Incredible stuff. Warriors 16 Cowboys 50
Scott Pryde
Expert
78' - TRY COWBOYS, JUSTIN O'NEILL Matt Scott has the first run from the penalty and is wrestled to the ground and he to is slow back to his feet. Asiata has a run but cant find a way through before Spina has the next. Now they come to the right from Thurston to Coote who takes on the line and then goes to O'Neill who dives over with ease for his second of the night. How good has Thurston been tonight. Warriors 16 Cowboys 48
Scott Pryde
Expert
77' - The Cowboys start this set 40 metres out and Hannant has the first one. Now they come left and Scott gets an offload to Asiata who almost goes through but is stopped 15 metres out. They come back to the middle and Thurston has been hit by Kata here. He is very slow back to his feet before Taumalolo picks up another penalty. Warriors 16 Cowboys 44
Scott Pryde
Expert
76' - Hannant again brings it back from the kick off before Spina has the next one heading back into the middle. Now Taumalolo has a big run and loses the ball, but picks up a penalty for it being stripped out. Warriors 16 Cowboys 44
Scott Pryde
Expert
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL by JOHNATHAN THURSTON Warriors 16 Cowboys 44
Scott Pryde
Expert
74' - TRY COWBOYS, KANE LINNETT Granville takes the tap and goes to Matt Scott and he has a run. Granville on the next play darts across and is stopped before Hannant has a run. Now they come left to Kosjaysyn and he throws an inside ball back to Linnett who was running the angle and he hits the hole to score untouched. Way too easy there for the Cowboys. Upstairs to check but this will be 40 for the Cowboys. Nice for and against boost for the Cowboys tonight as well. Warriors 16 Cowboys 42
Scott Pryde
Expert
74' - Tomkins attempts a short drop out and it doesn't go 10. Cowboys penalty 10 out. Warriors 16 Cowboys 38
Scott Pryde
Expert
73' - We still have no time here but the Cowboys have raced over half way in this set and the chip eventually comes into the in goal, Tomkins going back to recover but he drops it and has to recover by grounding it. Warriors 16 Cowboys 38
Scott Pryde
Expert
72' - The Warriors looking for a way through down the left but cant find one at the moment. Vete brings them up to half way and on the last Tomkins chips over the top of the defence and chases but very well read from Thurston as he gets back to take it for the Cowboys. Warriors 16 Cowboys 38
Scott Pryde
Expert
71' - The Cowboys come over half way and then bring it to the 30 through Spina. Now they come to the right from Thurston to O'Neil and he is tackled. Thurston bomsb across the field and Wright takes it fairly comfortably. Warriors 16 Cowboys 38
Scott Pryde
Expert
70' - The Warriors work it out of their own end strongly through Wright and then over half way through Hurrell and few plays later. Tomkins now comes inside 30 who passes to Lolohea but his offload is deflected by a Cowboys, backwards and they come up with it. Warriors 16 Cowboys 38
Scott Pryde
Expert
69' - Still no time so I am purely guessing here. The Cowboys work it over half way fairly quickly and then out to the left where Granville has a run and brings it inside 20. Matt Scott has the next run and on the last Coote grubbers down the middle where Tomkins picks it up. Warriors 16 Cowboys 38