Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad scored two tries within the Warriors’ win over the Cowboys. Picture / NRL Pictures, Photosport
NZ Warriors 42
North Queensland Cowboys 12
Every little thing’s arising Warriors.
It hasn’t been the best begin to their NRL marketing campaign, with accidents disrupting issues and some video games getting away from them. However after stringing collectively back-to-back wins over the Penrith Panthers and Redcliffe Dolphins earlier than final week’s bye, the Warriors have picked up the place they left off.
In a 42-12 win over the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville on Saturday night time, the Warriors regarded each bit a top-eight facet.
Controlling many of the possession all through the competition and conserving a excessive completion price, the Warriors put stress on the Cowboys – who welcomed again all 4 of their State of Origin stars – early and sometimes, whereas they defended their very own line nicely.
They had been enjoying nicely, and a number of the stranger moments within the recreation appeared to counsel it was merely the Warriors’ night time. Particularly, Rocco Berry scored a attempt because the ball fell kindly for him after initially hitting his shoulder, and Dallin Watene-Zeleziak averted going touch-in-goal by the smallest of margins to bat the ball again for a Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad attempt.
On one other night time, these had been two performs that may have gone one other manner, however on this night time the Warriors had been buzzing.
Nicoll-Klokstad performed a effective hand within the efficiency, carrying the ball again with intent and inserting himself into the assault nicely.
Addin Fonua-Blake, who was stood down for his or her final outing towards the Dolphins, returned at his bruising finest, operating for about 200m in his 57-minute stint, whereas Jackson Ford, Mitchell Barnett and Tohu Harris all bought by way of loads of work as nicely.
Within the halves, Te Maire Martin and Chanel Harris-Tavita ran the ship nicely and had been on the cash with their kicking recreation for many of the contest.
It was the kind of efficiency the membership can construct on after a disappointing begin, and with Shaun Johnson and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck anticipated to return within the coming weeks as nicely, one which followers can take loads of confidence from.
The one actual blip of their efficiency was Chanel Harris-Tavita being despatched to the sin bin for throwing the ball at Cowboys half Chad Townsend after a coming collectively of the 2 sides. Townsend was additionally despatched for a spell.
It began to look promising for the Warriors within the opening minute when a Viliami Vailea knock-on gave them terrific discipline place. Whereas Dallin Watene-Zelezniak’s attempt quickly after was dominated out, the Warriors had set the tone and Nicoll-Klokstad wouldn’t be denied within the nook within the eighth minute.
When Fonua-Blake muscled his manner by way of a number of defenders to attain and Barnett waltzed over for one among his personal, the Warriors held a deserved 16-0 lead inside 20 minutes.
Berry’s uncommon attempt pushed that lead out to 22 simply after the 30-minute mark, and it took a sneaky run from Tom Dearden at dummy half to ship Scott Drinkwater away for a long-range attempt on the counterattack.
Whereas the Cowboys had their probabilities, the Warriors at all times regarded assured of their defence.
They prolonged the lead after halftime with tries to Watene-Zelezniak and Nicoll-Klokstad, earlier than Braidon Burns bagged a comfort attempt for the hosts.
The Warriors had the final say, Berry bagging a brace of his personal because the Warriors claimed a dominant win.
NZ Warriors 42 (Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2, Rocco Berry 2, Addin Fonua-Blake, Mitchell Barnett, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak tries; Adam Pompey 6 cons, pen)
North Queensland Cowboys 12 (Scott Drinkwater, Braidon Burns attempt; Valentine Holmes 2 cons)
HT: 22-6
Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports activities workforce in 2017, bringing the identical versatility to his protection as he does to his sports activities viewing habits.
