New Zealand Warriors
25
Match Complete
North Queensland Cowboys
24
| R. Walsh |  | 65 | ||
| E. Aitken |  | 64 | ||
| 60 |  | V. Holmes | ||
| 47 | | V. Holmes | ||
| R. Walsh | | 42 | ||
| K. Nikorima | | 41 | ||
| R. Walsh | | 40 | ||
| J. Curran | | 38 | ||
| 35 | | V. Holmes | ||
| 34 | | K. Feldt | ||
| 22 | | V. Holmes | ||
| 21 | | S. Drinkwater | ||
| 16 | | V. Holmes | ||
| R. Walsh | | 11 | ||
| J. Arthars | | 10 | ||
| 6 | | T. Dearden |
| 4 | Tries | 4 | ||
| 4 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 2 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Round 5 of the NRL Premiership continues tonight when the New Zealand Warriors take on the North Queensland Cowboys at Moreton Daily Stadium in Redcliffe. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6:00pm (AEST).
On the back of their performances last week, you wouldn’t necessarily have thought that tonight’s match-up would be a top-eight clash. Yet, one of these sides will find themselves with a bit of breathing space inside the eight by the end of this round.
The Warriors beat the Broncos 20-6 at their adopted Redcliffe home in Round 4, but it was hardly vintage football. A couple of penalty goals were the only points scored in the second half.
Their effort in defence would have pleased Nathan Brown, and he will need a repeat against the Cowboys. Shaun Johnson and Chanel Harris-Tavita will need to create plenty of chances against an improved North Queensland side.
Due to an injury concern, Addin Fonua-Blake drops to the reserves list and Bunty Afoa will start at prop. Jazz Tevaga and Ben Murdoch-Masila are out of the side due to suspension and injury respectively. Bayley Sironen and Josh Curran will start, with Aaron Pene and Jack Murchie joining the bench.
After an impressive Queensland derby win against the Broncos a fortnight ago, the Cowboys came back to earth with a thud against the Roosters. To be fair, three sin bins didn’t help and the 28-4 scoreline was a little harsh.
The Cowboys will need to create more to beat the Warriors. Tom Dearden has been good this season, perhaps helped by Chad Townsend taking over the majority of the kicking, and he will need a big game this weekend.
In team changes, Scott Drinkwater comes in for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow at fullback and Jamayne Taunoa-Brown has been named to start in front of Reuben Cotter.
Prediction
As the odds suggest, this is a coin toss.
The Cowboys were confronted by a very determined Roosters outfit last start and the scoreline doesn’t really reflect how tight the game was.
I just think the Cowboys have more points in them and they will get home in a close one.
North Queensland Cowboys by 6.
Game information
Kick-off: 6:00pm (AEST)
Venue: Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe
TV: Fox Sports
Live stream: Kayo, Foxtel, NRL Live Pass
Odds: Warriors: $1.85, Cowboys: $1.95 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Warriors
1. Reece Walsh 2. Edward Kosi 3. Jesse Arthars 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Bunty Afoa 9. Wayde Egan 10. Matt Lodge 11. Euan Aitken 12. Bayley Sironen 13. Josh Curran
Interchange: 14. Kodi Nikorima 15. Eliesa Katoa 16. Aaron Pene 17. Jack Murchie
Cowboys
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 11. Tom Gilbert 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14. Jake Granville 15. Heilum Luki 16. Reuben Cotter 17. Griffin Neame
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Yeah it’s like they think about staying down then don’t do it. You have to stay down these days to get these calls…
JGK
Roar Guru
Did I imagine Val kicking a 50m field goal last year?
Jokerman
Roar Guru
But it seems Queensland teams have the same issues when playing Sydney teams…
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Aitken in the 77th minute was so obvious. He should have stayed down. It was a clear head high. The Warriors probably should have won the game there. 1-7 reset with three of them going on the last tackle whilst on attack. Warriors did well!
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
You think Granville had been told by Chad we were setting up for FG ?? No way in the world. Oh well we are still a lot better than last year.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Who is more likely to kick a winning FG ? Chad or Val ? If Chad doesn't know that he knows nothing.
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Yes those missed head highs ignored were very annoying given the soft ones the Cows got. Guess you have to stay down to get them. Luckily didn’t matter.
Rob
Guest
Got the feeling you will be hoping the Cowboys lose so you can stick it to Townsend. Granville lost it being a hero running it from dummy half and kicking it dead on the last.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Good call David, have a drink on the way.
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Haha fair enough. I don’t mind it in general, but it’s not a rule that helps the Warriors normally. They did well in GP this time though, dominant sets.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Breathe RN, breathe
82
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Took Johnson took three attempt to finally win it..
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
I tipped them, against my usual judgement. Then at halftime I made myself write lines...
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I like Golden Point and I'll take it as well.
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Warriors props were awesome. 1-7 against the reset ref. Two missed head highs on the Warriors. Two head highs against them that had nothing in it. Home reffing all the way. It’s hard bro! Sublime !
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
I'm so impressed Hard Yards. We are both smarter than we look. :silly: Btw, a quantum entanglement is a Jada Pinkett Smith foursome! :laughing:
Rob
Guest
Townsend takes a shot and the Cowboys stand and watch? Well done Warriors. Horrible D from Cowboys. Waist of time scoring 24 points and losing with weak defensive. I still have to get over Granville kicking it dead with 3min left trying to be a hero.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Nah , a dumb win is a dumb win. Maybe I'd celebrate it I round 25.
KFar
Guest
Never in doubt :laughing: