South Sydney have copped a drubbing by North Queensland, and to add injury to insult, a dazed Greg Inglis was forced to leave the field after copping a high shot in the Rabbitohs’ 44-18 NRL loss in Townsville.
Cowboys co-captain Matt Scott was placed on report for the 66th-minute tackle, and it capped a nightmare Friday night for Souths, who slumped to their second straight loss despite the return of Adam Reynolds.
Reynolds had hoped to use his comeback from a broken jaw as a NSW Origin audition, lining up against the Cowboys’ Maroons playmaker Johnathan Thurston.
But he came off second best – as most do – against the Cowboys co-captain, who became just the second person to notch 1000 points at a venue in Australian rugby league history.
By the end of the eight tries-to-three romp, Thurston had 1007 points at 1300SMILES Stadium, joining Newcastle’s Immortal Andrew Johns in the elite club.
Souths (3-4 record) became yet more roadkill in Townsville. North Queensland (5-2) have now won 13 of their past 15 home games and outscored visiting sides 179-32 in the past five games in the north.
Coincidentally, South Sydney were the last team to beat North Queensland in Townsville, in round 23 in 2015.
It marked the first time the Cowboys had won first four home matches of a season since 2005.
Thurston sparked a backline boosted by the return of centre Kane Linnett from a shoulder injury.
Thurston helped North Queensland lead 18-6 at halftime when he scored off his own grubber in the 15th minute and kicked three conversions.
He brought up his milestone with the third conversion thanks to a slice of luck: the kick ricocheted off the post but still fell over the crossbar to register point No.1001.
The Cowboys concede their first points in three home games when Reynolds and Luke Keary combined to set up barnstorming backrower Chris Grevsmuhl, locking up the scores at 6-6 in the ninth minute.
Then it was all one-way traffic.
Talent
Guest
Matt Scott was the best on ground for the Cowboys, but so many other players had good games too. On one hand, the Cowboys looked to be dominant and playing at a high level too good for the Rabbitohs. On the other hand, not being challenged enough led to a bit of a going through the motions phase until the Cowboys got close enough to 50 to find a new goal/challenge in the game (being that 50).
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Ha. Meaning I should be seen and not heard. My missus would emphatically agree. You're teaching me lots of stuff today. It's a Kiwi thing aye bro. ;-)
MAX
Guest
uitn, it's a compliment. As a boy we called anyone from the north 'Nanook' who was a hero in the first silent documentary made.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Okay, cheers for that, bit clearer I guess. Nanook??
MAX
Guest
Hi Nanook, If you go to www.rugbyleague.com.au and then to Explanatory Guidelines On P4 under Ruck Defence (d) Places his hand on the ball once the tackle is complete. The Rules of Rugby League rely too heavily on referee interpretation and that is where the problem of consistency occurs. Incidentally this guide is dated 2011.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Greeny did a few sneaky things last night, starting Granville and leaving him on for 80min finally, putting the ball Morgans way more and using him as last tackle kicker confused the Bunnies. In fact spending more time on the right flank was like a breath of fresh air for me. I thought the polar bear was a bit off his tucker though, kept getting pinged for pretty obscure penalties that had me scratching my head. While I'm on the subject, can anyone explain what "hands on the ball" means. There seemed to be a string of them and I couldn't figure them out. That Grevshmuhl try was awesome, poor old Coote was bounced away like a nine pin, great stuff. When is a penalty try awarded? Morgan was tackled without the ball when JT scored, to me it looked like a penalty should have been blown.
jimmmy
Guest
Headline should be Taumalolo stars as Cowboys belt Rabbitohs. This guy is the best forward in the NRL. Green is now developing his passing game. It is still a work in progress ( see intercept) but he is on his way to greatness. Seriously our big guys are the stars.Scott Tamou and JT2 are sensational. Add our back rowers and Hannett and Bolten off the bench , we have a foward pack to match any. If we can hold our own in the forwards , we win because no other team can attack like the Cows.