NRL 2021: North Queensland Cowboys win 26-24 over Canberra Raiders | Match Report

It was a rough start to the season for North Queensland, but a controversial try has handed the Cowboys their third straight win.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 24: Justin O'Neil of the Cowboys scores a try during the round seven NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Canberra Raiders at QCB Stadium, on April 24, 2021, in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

All they needed was one sniff, one surge of momentum to believe they were in the contest, and a try on the stroke of halftime proved to be that moment for the Cowboys.

When Ben Condon crashed over for his third try in three games in the shadows of the break, it began arguably North Queensland’s most resilient period of play they have produced in 2021.

With the Cowboys down 24-12 as the second term kicked off, momentum easily could have gone against them as Valentine Holmes appeared to be caught with the ball on the sixth tackle.

However the superstar fullback shrugged off his Canberra defenders, bursting into the clear before his deft grubber forced a goal-line drop out.

From there, it was a whole new side, turning in their most professional performance of the season in a 26-24 triumph

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The Cowboys started the 2021 season poor but have now recorded their third straight win. Picture: Getty Images.

Holmes gave his side a brilliant start to the second half, almost getting caught in the tackle on fifth and last within their own 40m.

However he managed to burst into the clear, before placing a grubber towards the line where a surging North Queensland defence forced Sebastian Kris into his own in goal for a line drop out.

When Kris then dropped a Scott Drinkwater bomb it gave the Cowboys another sniff, as hooker Reece Robson took advantage of tired defence to cross out of dummy-half.

After his side’s victory over the Bulldogs last week, North Queensland coach Todd Payten criticised his team for having a tendency to become bored with the game plan.

For much of that clash his outfit had established dominance in the middle of the field, only to open the door for the NRL strugglers by straying from what had worked for them.

This time around, it would not be the case.

The Raiders were on their haunches, bunched up and hands on heads as the Cowboys began to ride a wave of momentum. They stuck to it, reduced the errors, and eventually a Drinkwater grubber put Justin O’Neill over to level the scores in the 60th minute.

A Holmes penalty goal with 10 minutes to go then gave them their first lead, but they still had one final test to overcome.

Canberra refused to die wondering, the offloads which got them on the front foot in the first half pressuring the Cowboys defence frequently. But they were resilient, composed off the ball, and closed out their best game of the campaign.

TURNING THE TIDE

In the beginning, it appeared like it could well be a case of same old Cowboys.

An early knock on from Canberra gifted the home side the first chance to score, however Holmes’ fifth tackle kick sailed out on the full.

As the contest wore on, the Raiders appeared to be winning the arm wrestle, as fundamental errors from North Queensland cost them yet again.

The Cowboys were awarded a somewhat controversial try to keep them in the game, with Justin O’Neil possibly off-side. Picture: Getty Images.

Interim Cowboys captain Jordan McLean lost possession – and his captain’s challenge – close to halfway, and Raiders winger Jordan Rapana crossed in the corner from the proceeding opportunity.

A well timed offload from Josh Papalii opened up a chance for Tom Starling close to the line, whose short pass put Emry Guler over next to the posts.

North Queensland were quick to respond through Kyle Feldt off a classy cut out pass from Holmes, however Canberra fought back to gain the ascendancy.

Coming out of their own end, a Corey Jensen knock on gifted the Raiders another chance, with Jack Wighton putting Rapana over for his second.

A Starling break off a Horsborough offload soon after put the Raiders in open space, with an outside pass to George Williams pushing the lead out to 24-6.

The old Cowboys would have crumbled, would have shut up shop in the face of such a margin.

However Payten’s message appears to have finally stuck: back the game plan, trust the process, and the results will flow.

The Raiders started strong but failed to score a second-half point, going down for their third straight loss. Picture: Getty Images.

HOLMES’ TOUCH

He may have started the season on the wing, but Holmes has proved once and for all he is a fullback for the long haul.

The Queensland sensation had been outspoken earlier in the season about his desires – he did not come here to play on the flank, he came to Townsville to don the number one jersey.

Since moving to the back with Drinkwater stepping into the halves, Holmes has steadily brought back the running game which launched him into the NRL spotlight.

On Saturday night he was composed, his effort under pressure on last tackle to begin the second half proving the momentum changer the Cowboys needed.

His cool head proved the difference in the end of the kicking tee too, finishing the game with 177 running metres, a try assist, a line break, a line break assist and a perfect five from five with the boot.