NRL 2020: North Queensland Cowboys lose to New Zealand Warriors 37-26

It was a disastrous night for North Queensland, whose poor defence has been compounded after suffering two key injuries, as the Warriors ran away with a 37-26 win.

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The Cowboys last night suffered a double injury blow with star duo Valentine Holmes and Jordan McLean hobbling off in their nightmare 37-26 loss to the Warriors at Central Coast Stadium.

It was a disastrous evening in Gosford for the Cowboys with first-half setbacks to Holmes (ankle) and McLean (calf) compounding the pain of a woeful defensive effort that saw the Warriors romp home in a seven-try stitch-up.

It was supposed to be a momentous occasion for Cowboys coach Paul Green, who became the most-capped mentor in the club’s 25-year history, eclipsing the late Graham Murray with his 162nd game.

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The Cowboys loss is made worse after losing two star players to injury. Picture: AAP.

Green had every reason to light a cigar after giving a debut to 18-year-old speed machine Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who set up two tries in an impressive maiden outing in Cowboys colours.

But Green’s big bash was ultimately crashed by the Warriors, whose brave NSW-based campaign received another boost as centre Peta Hiku posted a hat-trick to subject the Cowboys to a second straight defeat.

The portents for defeat were grim after just six minutes when Holmes’ left ankle buckled under a tackle and while he managed a try a short time later, he eventually conceded defeat in the 27th minute.

Without the midfield presence of McLean, the Warriors stormed the middle third, holding returning Cowboys lock Jason Taumalolo to 113 metres as halves Kodi Nikorima and Blake Green dictated terms.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow setting up two tries, but was denied one himself. Picture: AAP.

Holmes appears to be in grave doubt for this Saturday’s away clash against Wests Tigers at Campbelltown.

“I tried to stay out as long as I could, but I couldn’t run,” he told Fox Sports.

“I have to get scans (today) and see how I go from there.”

In a seesawing affair, the lead changed hands five times, with the Warriors leading 17-12 at halftime before finishing the Cowboys off after the break with three tries in the final 23 minutes.

The Cowboys had their chances. When prop Frank Molo crashed over in the 49th minute, they edged clear at 22-21, but under pressure, North Queensland lacked composure in clutch moments.

Even allowing for their injuries, the Cowboys have problems in two key areas _ their defensive application and scrumbase control.

Valentine Holmes suffered a foot injury which saw him unable to play in the second-half. Picture: AAP.

North Queensland must improve their intensity without the ball or they will miss the playoffs for the third consecutive year. Exhibit A was Esan Marsters’ insipid one-on-one miss which gifted Hiku his opening try in the 36th minute.

And the Cowboys need to get some shape in their halves. Young halves Scott Drinkwater and Jake Clifford were outsmarted by veteran Green and former Bronco Nikorima, who set up two tries and kicked a crucial field goal.

“We have to be tougher mentally defensively. Five of their seven tries were on the last tackle,” Green said.

“The most disappointing thing is our defensive resilience. If the game went for only five tackles, we’d be a good side.”

Peta Hiku was a standout for the Warriors, scoring three tries in his return from injure. Picture: AAP.

FIVE THINGS

1. The Cowboys need to improve their defensive attitude or they can forget about playing finals football for a third consecutive year. They conceded 26 points against Cronulla last week and the Warriors had little trouble piercing the Cowboys line last night. Esan Marsters’ feeble one-on-one miss on Peta Hiku in the first half typified the Cowboys’ frailties in defence. They need to harden up.

2. North Queensland face a nervous wait with injured stars Valentine Holmes and Jordan McLean. The former Queensland Origin flyer hobbled off in the 27th minute and will have scans on Saturday on his damaged left ankle. He appears no hope of facing the Tigers next Saturday, while McLean injured his calf and will also be racing the clock.

3. The Cowboys have unearthed the most exciting attacking weapon since Matt Bowen in rookie Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. The 18-year-old starred at the NRL Nines in February and he was dangerous in his NRL debut last night. The ‘Hammer’ looked right at home in the top grade, troubling the Warriors with his speed and setting up two tries with clever passes. When Valentine Holmes hobbled off injured, HTF answered an SOS at fullback.

4. The Warriors did a superb job shutting down Jason Taumalolo. Returning from a knee injury, the Cowboys wrecking ball looked underdone, managing just 113 metres as the Warriors swarmed him in defence. It reinforced the view that if you muzzle Taumalolo, you silence the Cowboys.

5. Former Broncos halfback Kodi Nikorima produced one of the finest performances of his 105-game NRL career. Nikorima set up two tries, snapped a field goal just before halftime and was a constant menace to the Cowboys. Nikorima’s effort rammed home the lack of dominance of young Cowboys halves Scott Drinkwater and Jake Clifford.