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‘Best performance in a long time’: Warriors stun Cowboys to snap 13-game losing streak in Australia

The Warriors have snapped a drought going back almost a full year but last years’ semi-finalists have been stunned yet again.

Fox League
2 min read
March 18, 2023 - 9:05PM
TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 18: The Cowboys stand together during the round three NRL match between North Queensland Cowboys and New Zealand Warriors at Qld Country Bank Stadium on March 18, 2023 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 18: The Cowboys stand together during the round three NRL match between North Queensland Cowboys and New Zealand Warriors at Qld Country Bank Stadium on March 18, 2023 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

The Warriors have stunned the Cowboys 26-12 as the hosts failed to score after the 14th minute in Townsville.

The upset saw the Warriors snap a 13-game losing streak in Australia as North Queensland’s attack once again spluttered after a strong start.

“That IS the Warriors best performance in Australia in a long, long time,” Cooper Cronk said on Fox League.

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Tom Chester replaced suspended Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater and he enjoyed a dream start with the young gun scoring the opening try and then setting his side’s second.

Halfback Chad Townsend put a grubber through which hit the upright in the fifth minute and Chester pounced to score his first NRL try.

The Warriors hit back when Tohu Harris burst through the middle and off-loaded for Wayde Egan to fight his way over from 10 metres out.

“Egan wriggles his way over and that’s a good hit back because the first 10 minutes has been all the Cowboys,” Greg Alexander said.

But Chester went after another Townsend kick in the 14th minute, this time rising above Warriors debutant fullback Taine Tuaupiki to bat it back for Reece Robson to score.

But from there, the Cowboys didn’t score, butchering another as the Cowboys faded after a fast start for the third week in a row, failing to score after the 14th minute as the Warriors piled on four unanswered tries.

In their season opener, they shot out to 18-0 after 35 minutes against the Raiders but only held on for a 19-18 win with a 75th-minute field goal.

The following week they led the Broncos 8-0 after 20 minutes before losing 28-16 and the trend continued against the Warriors.

“Their attack has gotten worse the longer the game has gone,” Andrew Voss said on Fox League.

“There is something wrong with the Cowboys at the moment, they’ve made great starts in their first three matches and only won one of them,” Greg Alexander responded.

Without a quick fix Todd Payten’s men are facing a 1-3 start to the season when they face the high-flying Titans next week.

The Kiwis scored their second in the 29th minute when a simple overlap saw Marcelo Montoya cross in the corner.

The Warriors made it two tries in five minutes when Shaun Johnson found Dylan Walker who put Jazz Tevaga through a hole close to the line.

“Johnson did a marvellous job to square everyone up... and the timing from the other two players absolutely perfect,” Alexander said.

The Warriors picked up where they left off to score eight minutes into the second half as Edward Kosi dived over in the corner.

Another simple overlap saw the visitors cross again, with Montoya bagging his second after scoring in the corner in the 56th minute.

Warriors hooker Egan was knocked out in the 69th minute while trying to tackle Cowboys captain Jason Taumalolo.

Originally published as ‘Best performance in a long time’: Warriors stun Cowboys to snap 13-game losing streak in Australia

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/best-performance-in-a-long-time-warriors-stun-cowboys-to-snap-13game-losing-streak-in-australia/news-story/c638b619675c1e5ec05f05376d2c7ec3