A Dylan Walker try and a late Shaun Johnson penalty helped the Warriors beat the North Queensland Cowboys 22-14 at Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium.
In what was often a bumpy encounter in difficult conditions, the home side made the most of one-sided possession, with a completion rate well below what they achieved at the start of the 2023 NRL season.
However, the in-form Johnson first made an attempt in the 61st minute for the former Kangaroo Walker to break a 14-all deadlock, then scored from the front in what was a lot harder than it looked due to a stiff northerly breeze.
The home fans could have been forgiven for being slow to get into their seats after the Warriors’ poor starts this season, but they reversed the script and scored within the first five minutes.
An Adam Pompey interception gave the Warriors a great field position, two tackles later Dylan Walker and Tohu Harris combined to send Addin Fonua-Blake through a gap large enough to pick up two defenders to score under the post.
The strong wind that was behind the Warriors in the first half was to have a decisive impact on the game.
The Cowboys, however, kept it easy to corner Murray Taulagiover with a smooth finish.
The Maroons combination of Taulagi and Valentine Holmes caused real problems down the Warriors’ right flank, with the winger narrowly denying a second try from the bunker officer after his foot grazed the touchline.
Ed Kosi ended a great run by Marcelo Montoya to put the Warriors 14-4 ahead before another Origin representative, Reuben Cotter, brushed off a poor tackle from Josh Curran to cut the visitors’ lead to six .
Curran made amends after the break, scoring a well-crafted try-off with more Johnson skill, but the Warriors slipped again to level Holmes almost right after kickoff.
While Walker’s attempt eventually settled matters, the Warriors put on an impressive defense to end the game.
The story goes on
In particular, a set six minutes from time gave the Cowboys just 20 yards and the ensuing kick was carried to the full by Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad to set the Warriors up with the run of the game that resulted in Johnson’s late penalty.
All in all, it wasn’t a high-level game, but it’s unlikely that the crowd of nearly 24,000 at Mt Smart will care too much.
The Cowboys’ poor start to the season continues, this is their second loss to the Warriors in 2023, with some questions that must be asked of how such a talented team can prop up the NRL ladder.
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