North Queensland Cowboys
29
Match Complete
New Zealand Warriors
28
| V. Holmes |  | 79 | ||
| V. Holmes |  | 76 | ||
| H. Tabuai-Fidow |  | 75 | ||
| 66 | | K. Nikorima | ||
| 65 | | B. Murdoch-Masila | ||
| 59 | | M. Montoya | ||
| 49 | | K. Nikorima | ||
| 47 | | R. Walsh | ||
| 45 | | K. Nikorima | ||
| 43 | | E. Aitken | ||
| V. Holmes | | 39 | ||
| S. Drinkwater | | 38 | ||
| V. Holmes | | 37 | ||
| J. Clifford | | 36 | ||
| M. Taulagi | | 26 | ||
| V. Holmes | | 14 | ||
| K. Feldt | | 13 | ||
| 4 | | K. Nikorima | ||
| 2 | | E. Aitken |
| 5 | Tries | 5 | ||
| 4 | Conversions | 4 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 1 | Field Goals | 0 |
The North Queensland Cowboys host the New Zealand Warriors in a match that could see the victor jump into the top eight. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary tonight from 6pm (AEST).
The Warriors and Cowboys have similar motives in this one, occupying ninth and tenth place on the ladder respectively, only out of the top eight on for-and-against. As we often see each season, there is a real scramble for positions at the bottom of the eight, and these are the sort of games you have to win if that is where you want to end up by September.
The Cowboys pack has taken a bit of a beating, losing key-man Jason Taumalolo and Lachlan Burr through suspension. Francis Molo is also out with a head-knock. Corey Jensen, Coen Hess and Peter Hola replace the trio, while speedster Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow returns in the centres.
The Warriors have named an unchanged 17 for the first time this year. After some tinkering with the line-up, Nathan Brown seems to have settled on Reece Walsh at fullback. They seem like a more damaging football side with him at the back, and after he scored a try and set up three others last week, the number one jumper looks to be his for the time being. Scott Drinkwater looks to be key for the Cowboys, he has been the source of plenty of their points over the last few weeks. Without Taumololo, more responsibility will be on him to steer the team around.
Both teams are last start winners in high-scoring affairs. The Cowboys got over the Knights in a shootout last Thursday in Townsville, with the Warriors doing similarly against the Tigers on the Central Coast last Friday. Results historically are pretty even between the two, with the Warriors coming away with a narrow win against the Cowboys in Round 8 this year.
Prediction
This is one of a few games this weekend that could genuinely go either way, and could end up with any number of points scored. Their match earlier in the season came down to the final minutes and I would expect the same here tonight. This is an opportunity to notch a win going into Origin, and springboard into the second half of the season.
The Warriors have been the tougher side this year, and with Reece Walsh now starting at the back, I think they have the edge going into this one.
Warriors by 8
Join The Roar for live scores and rolling coverage from 6pm (AEST), and as always, don’t forget to leave your thoughts on the match in the comments section below.
Game information
Kick-off: 6pm (AEST)
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
TV: Fox League
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now, Foxtel Go
Odds: Cowboys $2.06, Warriors $1.76 (odds via PlayUp)
Teams
Cowboys
1. Valentine Holmes, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Javid Bowen, 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 5. Murray Taulagi, 6. Scott Drinkwater, 7. Jake Clifford, 8. Tom Gilbert, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Jordan McLean (c), 11. Shane Wright, 12. Mitch Dunn, 13. Coen Hess
Bench/Reserves: 14. Jake Granville, 15. Peter Hola, 16. Coorey Jensen, 17. Heilum Luki | 18. Justin O’Neill, 19. Ben Condon, 20. Daejarn Asi, 21. Emry Pere
Warriors
1. Reece Walsh, 2. Marcelo Montoya, 3. Adam Pompey, 4. Euan Aitken, 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c), 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 8. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Kane Evans, 11. Jack Murchie, 12. Eliesa Katoa, 13. Tohu Harris
Bench/Reserves: 14. Jazz Tevaga, 15. Leeson Ah Mau, 16. Bunty Afoa, 17. Ben Murdoch-Masila | 18. Taniela Otukolo, 20. Rocco Berry, 21. Sean O’Sullivan, 22. Jackson Frei
Timra
Guest
The Hammer would add an x factor to the QLD team and Granville is still good enough to keep them on their toes.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Yeah, its not that hard. Waiting for the last was dumb. Not setting up as you say was even dumber. Having said that. There are guys that deliver and those that don't. Val delivers.
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
In all fairness I don’t think he missed it because there was too much pressure on him. He had lots of time and just shanked it. Could have done that on the second or third as well.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
I liked your comment because I still agree; it deserved to be a draw if Holmes missed.
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Surely third (or second) tackle under the posts. Snap it. 6 on the left. 7 on the right. Walsh right behind. Slightly disguised. Maybe they thought they’d get a try. Walsh should be playing at 6. At first receiver he may have touched it twice on that set. He just gets bashed a bit at 1. Brownie talks about protecting him...
Phil
Roar Rookie
Yes, I see that . I missed the last few minutes and was told it was golden point. My mistake.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Don't think so.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I think we got it in the first half. In the second I reckon the greenkeeper looked after you pretty well.
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
Fulltime Well what a game in Townsville tonight. The Cowboys looked in full control at halftime with a 16 point lead and seemingly all the answers in a controlled first half. The Warriors though came out of the sheds a different team, scoring 22 unanswered points to go ahead by six. With some early possession to start the second half, the Warriors would score through Euan Aitken who got his second after some great lead-up work by Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Reece Walsh. The try would get them back in the contest, and just a few minutes later Walsh would score one of his own. Deep on the attack, the Cowboys would turn it over, with the 18 year-old sprinting down the touch line, Luki would give chase for the Cowboys and nearly stopped Walsh from scoring, but he would not be denied, reaching out to slam it down. The Warriors would lock the game up as that man Walsh again featured to send Montoya over after a lovely cut-out pass. Nikorima would miss his first conversion of the night to deny them the lead. They would earn that lead with 15 minutes to go, as Ben Murdoch-Masila crashed over with the Cowboys struggling under weight of possession. The Cowboys though would weather the storm, and with less than five minutes to go, a young gun of their own would score in Habisu Tabuai-Fidow. Coming out of trouble, Valentine Holmes would find "the Hammer", who beat three defenders on a 65 metre run that would see the Cowboys lock up the game. Both teams had opportunities to win in the dying stages, with the Warriors gifted a full set on the Warriors line but missing a field goal shot to Chanel Harris-Tevita from just 20 out. The Cowboys wouldn't waste their seven tackle opportunity, marching down field and giving it to Valentine Holmes who absolutely nailed a 39 metres attempt to win the game. This game was a good reflection of where both teams are at. They can compete in patches and certainly have plenty of points in them. Neither would look out of place in the bottom of the eight if they can notch some wins over the Origin period. Both coaches would be happy with elements of the game, but equally disappointed. The Cowboys should never have trailed after halftime, but did well to essentially win it twice, and had their big guns come up with plays when they needed them. The Warriors were tenacious in coming back into the contest but will lament a sluggish first half, and their inability to close out the last five minutes, as well as to ice the game right at the death with a field goal. It is obvious that if they are to feature in the finals they need Reece Walsh at fullback. An entertaining contest, and one that had minimal foul play, or intrusion by the referees. For all the controversy in recent weeks, it felt well officiated for the most part, and with just the one sin bin to speak of, the players and officials are hopefully adapting to what NRL HQ wants. Thanks for joining me tonight on the Roar. I will be back tomorrow night for the blockbuster clash between the Eels and Rabbitohs.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Agree with both those. Val is a gun at the FG
Rob
Guest
The Cowboys have been a completely different football team with the departure of McGuire. Everyone is getting an opportunity and the weak defensive efforts are less existent.
Rob
Guest
It wasn’t golden point. The win came in regulation time?
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
I was thinking at the time they need to score a try. Notoriously poor at the field goal. I have no idea of Walsh can kick one, but I reckon he would have done better.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Well done Cows that was a great win , after an exciting game.Val learnt to kick winning FG 's at the Sharks.I like the look of Luki - he's a keeper. Bad luck NZ they were sensational
JGK
Roar Guru
Or not!
You cannot plant the ball and milk a penalty. Cowboys were not hard done by at all you plonkers. However - Warriors deserve to lose for the most pathetic set up, and field goal attempt - that I have ever seen. Clown city.
Phil
Roar Rookie
It's games like this I don't like golden point. If ever a game deserved a draw it was this one, a game of two equal halves with a flippin' field goal the difference.
Rob
Guest
He’s brilliant in a clutch moment. Mind you the game change with his stupidity taking it down the short side and losing possession giving the Warriors a length of the field try. They had the Warriors 22-6 and numbers and he tried to be a hero?
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Must have been a nice one for the neutrals. Bit of a roller coaster for the Warriors. They have had a few games like that - periods it dominance but switching off for awhile and letting in too many points. That’s the 8th game the Warriors have been in this season decided by 6 or less. The next closest team has 4. Just the heart attack team either way.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Great contest. I bloody love games like that.