Penrith have put a serious dampener on Wests Tigers season tonight at Leictharte Oval, with a 26-10 victory. A five tries to two win and Penrith remain in the top eight, but the Tigers now have to win nine from thirteen too play finals football.
A clear, serene evening saw ideal conditions prevail, for what should have been a high scoring match between two superb attacking sides.
Instead, the Tigers in particular failed to hold onto the pill in the first half, completing less than fifty percent of their sets.
Added to this, the fact that their error count was twice that of Penrith, they did well to be down only two at the break.
Neither team could gain the ascendancy over the first fifteen minutes. It was not until the 18th minute that Taniela Tuiaki dived over in the left corner to dot down, that the Tigers opened the scoring for the evening.
A 4-0 lead that they held until Paul Aton- a Papa New Guinea international, who joined Penrith this season- scooted out from dummy half to dive over under the horizontal bar, and with the conversion, give Penrith a two point advantage, 6-4.
Penrith would have been disappointed to go into the half time break with a two point lead, as they had fifty-four percent of the possession and had a completion rate of eighty percent, compared to the Tigers fifty percent.
However, it only took them three minutes to add to their halftime score, when Jeff Daniela got his hands on a grubber kick, that was directed into the Tigers in-goal area, to take the score to 10-4 in their favour.
With Frank Pritchard and Trent Waterhouse making gains up the middle of the ruck with expert precision, you could have been excused for thinking that Penrith were getting the better of proceedings.
But the Tigers fired up at the 50th minute with a try to their sole State of Origin representative, Robbie Farrah. The Tigers had broken the Penrith defence with a sortie down the middle of the paddock, then taking the play wide to their right-side attack, where Benji Marshall appeared to have been tackled, but passed off the ground to Farrah who crossed for what they thought was a try. And they were right, once the video ref made a decision after what seemed an eternity. One, two, three looks. He has another look- did you know that the Earth tilts at 23.5 degrees, and that Brangalina are apparently splitting up. Not too mention the fact that orange jellybeans taste far superior to blue jellybeans- oh, after the ninth replay, the video ref awarded the try, by the bye.
The Tigers were strong over the next twenty minutes, but could only add a further two points from a Marshall penalty goal, to level the scores at ten a piece.
From the 68th minute onwards, Penrith had things to themselves. Oh what fun they had. The 69th minute brought their third try into significance, after Brad Tighe latched onto a cut out pass, to dive over in the right corner.
The conversion missed, but this did not set Penrith back, as in the 75th minute, halfback Luke Walshe breaks the Tigers defensive line eight out to score beside the right upright. For fun, he converts his own try to give Penrith a safe ten point margin, 20-10.
"There is no harm in repeating a good thing". So said Plato.
It seems Luke Walshe agrees. With two and a half minutes left on the clock, he takes the last pass from a movement that started with a bomb and ended with him touching down five wide of the right upright, for his second try of the evening. Lucky to be awarded the try though, as one of Penriths inside runners was off-side from the original kick. But, fortunately, it did not influence the outcome of the match.
With the conversion, this took the final score to 26-10.
Which has quite possibly doomed the Tigers to another season without finals football.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
It's a Friday night, Wins Stadium in Woollengong, St George- they win 38 to 10, play Penrith. Despite it being a cold, wet, early winters night, with 10623 fans along too watch, St George scored seven tries to two, to go to the top of the NRL points ladder.
That is, for at least two days, depending on whether the Bulldogs win on Sunday against Newcastle.
With a strong southerly behind their backs in the first half, coach Wayne Bennett would have been justifiably concerned at the half-time break, being ahead by only six points, 12-6.
And this was on the back of a fourteen percent advantage in the possession stakes.
It was Penrith who looked the stronger of the two during the first ten minutes. They regularly gained more ground with their sets of six, even though running into the wind.
Their defence was solid and the attack looked sharp.
However, despite this, between the 10th and 15th minutes, St George scored two tries in quick succession. Both came from bombs put up by Jamie Soward. The first, Beau Scott recovered and touched down, just inside the in-goal sideline.
Ben Hornby gathered the next bomb in, two metres from Penriths goal line and ran over untouched to score just past the horizontal bar. Soward missed the first conversion, but made no mistake with the second, giving St George a 10- nil lead after fifteen minutes.
Penrith hit back eleven minutes on, after Wade Graham also scored from a bomb in the corner. Jarrod Sammit converted to bring Penrith within four points of St George.
But that was as close as they could manage for the match.
St George extended it to six, one minute out from half-time, when awarded a penalty for a blatant- think sinbinning offence that never happened - play the ball offence, in front of Penriths goalposts. Soward landed the goal, to take the score out to 12-6.
There was a feeling that Penrith would come home the stronger, what with the strong southerly behind them and the fact that, despite been behind on the scoreboard, they had looked sharper than their opposition on attack.
That was then, though. This is the now.
St George came out firing at the beginning of the second half. It took them only ninety seconds before they troubled the scoreboard. Chase Stanley got on the outside of his opposite number and then off-loaded in the tackle to Wendel Sailor, who steamrolled his way over two unfortunate Penrith defenders to dot down in the corner, extending the lead to twelve.
Penrith got their second and last try, to captain Frank Pritchard, in the 52nd minute. Running three wide of the ruck, Pritchard showed what potential he has, to be one of the most uncontrollably destructive attacking forces known to the current generation of rugby league fans, by rampaging his way along a thirty metre dash, to touchdown ten in from the sideline.
There was to be no more satisfaction for Penrith, though.
From here on in, Sailor and his mates then decided to go on a scoring rampage over the next twenty-eight minutes, running in four unanswered tries, one of which was Sailors second of the night, and the best of the match.
It was at the 62nd minute, Jason Nightingale had regathered a poor kick from Penrith's Lachan Coote, busted through the Penrith fortification, off-loaded to Brett Morris, who said a hearty adieu to his opposite number and proceeded with indecent haste to speed his way along the magnificently conditioned grasslands of Wins Stadium. Having been brought down thirty out from Penriths line, St George spread the ball wide to Sailor, who having emancipated himself from the ravages of the Penrith defence, dives over in the corner to score.
With the conversion, this took the score to 24-10, and Penrith never recovered.
St George added three more tries to their tally, one in the dying seconds of the match, to give Penrith a 26-4 second half drubbing.
St George in the second half, for what looked to be the first time this season, straightened their attack up, which meant running onto the ball at the advantage line. Which gave them a much more venomous look too their football team. Because of this, it was perhaps their best half of football this season.
They look to be improving with each week.
Which means, watch out, come finals time.
That is, for at least two days, depending on whether the Bulldogs win on Sunday against Newcastle.
With a strong southerly behind their backs in the first half, coach Wayne Bennett would have been justifiably concerned at the half-time break, being ahead by only six points, 12-6.
And this was on the back of a fourteen percent advantage in the possession stakes.
It was Penrith who looked the stronger of the two during the first ten minutes. They regularly gained more ground with their sets of six, even though running into the wind.
Their defence was solid and the attack looked sharp.
However, despite this, between the 10th and 15th minutes, St George scored two tries in quick succession. Both came from bombs put up by Jamie Soward. The first, Beau Scott recovered and touched down, just inside the in-goal sideline.
Ben Hornby gathered the next bomb in, two metres from Penriths goal line and ran over untouched to score just past the horizontal bar. Soward missed the first conversion, but made no mistake with the second, giving St George a 10- nil lead after fifteen minutes.
Penrith hit back eleven minutes on, after Wade Graham also scored from a bomb in the corner. Jarrod Sammit converted to bring Penrith within four points of St George.
But that was as close as they could manage for the match.
St George extended it to six, one minute out from half-time, when awarded a penalty for a blatant- think sinbinning offence that never happened - play the ball offence, in front of Penriths goalposts. Soward landed the goal, to take the score out to 12-6.
There was a feeling that Penrith would come home the stronger, what with the strong southerly behind them and the fact that, despite been behind on the scoreboard, they had looked sharper than their opposition on attack.
That was then, though. This is the now.
St George came out firing at the beginning of the second half. It took them only ninety seconds before they troubled the scoreboard. Chase Stanley got on the outside of his opposite number and then off-loaded in the tackle to Wendel Sailor, who steamrolled his way over two unfortunate Penrith defenders to dot down in the corner, extending the lead to twelve.
Penrith got their second and last try, to captain Frank Pritchard, in the 52nd minute. Running three wide of the ruck, Pritchard showed what potential he has, to be one of the most uncontrollably destructive attacking forces known to the current generation of rugby league fans, by rampaging his way along a thirty metre dash, to touchdown ten in from the sideline.
There was to be no more satisfaction for Penrith, though.
From here on in, Sailor and his mates then decided to go on a scoring rampage over the next twenty-eight minutes, running in four unanswered tries, one of which was Sailors second of the night, and the best of the match.
It was at the 62nd minute, Jason Nightingale had regathered a poor kick from Penrith's Lachan Coote, busted through the Penrith fortification, off-loaded to Brett Morris, who said a hearty adieu to his opposite number and proceeded with indecent haste to speed his way along the magnificently conditioned grasslands of Wins Stadium. Having been brought down thirty out from Penriths line, St George spread the ball wide to Sailor, who having emancipated himself from the ravages of the Penrith defence, dives over in the corner to score.
With the conversion, this took the score to 24-10, and Penrith never recovered.
St George added three more tries to their tally, one in the dying seconds of the match, to give Penrith a 26-4 second half drubbing.
St George in the second half, for what looked to be the first time this season, straightened their attack up, which meant running onto the ball at the advantage line. Which gave them a much more venomous look too their football team. Because of this, it was perhaps their best half of football this season.
They look to be improving with each week.
Which means, watch out, come finals time.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Round 12 NRL Preview
Dragons vs Panthers
Dragons
The winds will be blowing for you in the first half.You will be in high spirits for sixty minutes, however, people with sinister intentions will try to put a halt to your enjoyment over the last twenty minutes. The new lunar cycle will bring a toughness to your resolve in those more trying times. Someone that is part of your extended team, smiles in the 43rd minute.
Panthers
You are missing home and it effects your performance. One of your team gets involved in unnessecary confrontation in the 24th minute. A higher authority gives advice. You become bored with listening to talk and decide to do some talking of your own, in the form of actions, but it has the wrong effect. Despite a strong ending to your story, results do not nessecarily go the way you would like, but do not dispair, there is always next time.
Eels vs Sharks
Eels
A mate of yours seeks medical assistance on more than one occasion. You are positive of mind for the majority of the match. Someone on the periphery follows in the footsteps of a famous figure,scores on more than one occasion, which sets the right tone for his team.
Sharks
You give away half the normal ammount of penalties this week, due to a notable absence. However, despite this, other irregularities in your lineup mean you struggle for fluency. You create chances for yourselves, but due to the current lunar positioning, fail to make the most of them. You suffer a loss, in more ways than one. A leader will commend officials on a job done well.
Knights vs Bulldogs
Knights
You have ferocious backing from outside influences. Unfortunately for you though, two of your teammates have decided to locate elsewhere for seven days and it effects your performance. You do, however, show remarkable resilience, and only go down by a small margin.
Bulldogs
Dissapointments of the past are soon forgotten and the moon brings out the best for one of your forwards. The 53rd minute brings into prominence, a notable play for one of the inner sanctum of your team. A act by an outside back is of the utmost importance to your team. Thgis person excels under pressure.
Warriors vs Tigers
Warriors
Defence becomes you. With a solid platform, a smaller member of your team recaptures form of the past, to lead you to victory. Confidence will build in you as time goes on. This will be the start of a charge towards a noteworthy ending in the months to come.
Tigers
Due to the current lunar phase that you are going through, you will be brilliant one minute, but dire the next. This lack of consistancy in your life will cost you in the short term. The 32nd minute will bring a leader, high notoriety.
Rabbitohs vs Raiders
Rabbitohs
Your enviroment is of a friendly nature this week, and you warm to it. You will miss someone for a short time during the match, but you resolve to overcome this difficulty. You will be the recipient of a torrent of good news between the 45th and 53rd minutes. This news will see you singing at some stage, later on.
Raiders
Excitement is in the air for a member of your team. This, though, will be the last of the celebratory tone for the next six days. Your hands let you down. Your relationship with fifteen others on the field is not good.
Dragons vs Panthers
Dragons
The winds will be blowing for you in the first half.You will be in high spirits for sixty minutes, however, people with sinister intentions will try to put a halt to your enjoyment over the last twenty minutes. The new lunar cycle will bring a toughness to your resolve in those more trying times. Someone that is part of your extended team, smiles in the 43rd minute.
Panthers
You are missing home and it effects your performance. One of your team gets involved in unnessecary confrontation in the 24th minute. A higher authority gives advice. You become bored with listening to talk and decide to do some talking of your own, in the form of actions, but it has the wrong effect. Despite a strong ending to your story, results do not nessecarily go the way you would like, but do not dispair, there is always next time.
Eels vs Sharks
Eels
A mate of yours seeks medical assistance on more than one occasion. You are positive of mind for the majority of the match. Someone on the periphery follows in the footsteps of a famous figure,scores on more than one occasion, which sets the right tone for his team.
Sharks
You give away half the normal ammount of penalties this week, due to a notable absence. However, despite this, other irregularities in your lineup mean you struggle for fluency. You create chances for yourselves, but due to the current lunar positioning, fail to make the most of them. You suffer a loss, in more ways than one. A leader will commend officials on a job done well.
Knights vs Bulldogs
Knights
You have ferocious backing from outside influences. Unfortunately for you though, two of your teammates have decided to locate elsewhere for seven days and it effects your performance. You do, however, show remarkable resilience, and only go down by a small margin.
Bulldogs
Dissapointments of the past are soon forgotten and the moon brings out the best for one of your forwards. The 53rd minute brings into prominence, a notable play for one of the inner sanctum of your team. A act by an outside back is of the utmost importance to your team. Thgis person excels under pressure.
Warriors vs Tigers
Warriors
Defence becomes you. With a solid platform, a smaller member of your team recaptures form of the past, to lead you to victory. Confidence will build in you as time goes on. This will be the start of a charge towards a noteworthy ending in the months to come.
Tigers
Due to the current lunar phase that you are going through, you will be brilliant one minute, but dire the next. This lack of consistancy in your life will cost you in the short term. The 32nd minute will bring a leader, high notoriety.
Rabbitohs vs Raiders
Rabbitohs
Your enviroment is of a friendly nature this week, and you warm to it. You will miss someone for a short time during the match, but you resolve to overcome this difficulty. You will be the recipient of a torrent of good news between the 45th and 53rd minutes. This news will see you singing at some stage, later on.
Raiders
Excitement is in the air for a member of your team. This, though, will be the last of the celebratory tone for the next six days. Your hands let you down. Your relationship with fifteen others on the field is not good.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
The New Zealand Warriors season has gone from bad to worse, in Canberra today, where they suffered their second heavy defeat in seven days.
Having lost by eighteen points to the Cowboys last week, this time they went down 38-12 to the Canberra Raiders. Apart from a ten minute period mid way through the first half, they were never in the match.
Canberra looked too be playing at a different speed to the Warriors. Their attack was crisp and they looked like they could break the Warriors defence at will. The complete opposite to the warriors team.
The misery, for the Warriors, started in the first set of the match, when Simon Mannering knocked-on twenty out from his own line.
This led to the Raiders enjoying 70 percent of possession over the first ten minutes. And they made good use of it, running in two tries, to be 10-0 up.
The Warriors hit back in the 22nd and 28th minutes, with tries to Steve Price and Mannering. This period of play was the only bright spot of the day for the Warriors.
It only took Canberra four minutes to hit back with a converted try to Terry Campese, giving Canberra a 16-12 lead. This is where the score stayed until half-time, which the Warriors would have been pleased with considering the weight of possession against them.
Having been on the receiving end of a 5-1 penalty count in the first half, it was close to reversed in the second half,5-2 in favour of the Warriors. This didn't help them though, as the continually coughed up possession to the Raiders, who gleefully used it to their own advantage.
This took the shape of four second half tries, three of which were converted by Campese.
The Warriors looked lacklustre throughout the match, and while far from being out of finals contention, will need to recapture their form quickly if they are not too lose touch with the top eight.
Not many positives too come out of the match for the Warriors, but they do look less cluttered in the halves with Stacey Jones been given full control to organise the team around the field, now that Nathan Fien has been dropped.
They host the West Tigers next week and there doesn't appear to be anywhere for the coaching staff to go in terms of changes, as they have close to a full strength team on the park currently.
Perhaps Kevin Locke is close to selection but wholesale changes would mean bringing in inexperienced players at a difficult time. Not a likely option.
Having lost by eighteen points to the Cowboys last week, this time they went down 38-12 to the Canberra Raiders. Apart from a ten minute period mid way through the first half, they were never in the match.
Canberra looked too be playing at a different speed to the Warriors. Their attack was crisp and they looked like they could break the Warriors defence at will. The complete opposite to the warriors team.
The misery, for the Warriors, started in the first set of the match, when Simon Mannering knocked-on twenty out from his own line.
This led to the Raiders enjoying 70 percent of possession over the first ten minutes. And they made good use of it, running in two tries, to be 10-0 up.
The Warriors hit back in the 22nd and 28th minutes, with tries to Steve Price and Mannering. This period of play was the only bright spot of the day for the Warriors.
It only took Canberra four minutes to hit back with a converted try to Terry Campese, giving Canberra a 16-12 lead. This is where the score stayed until half-time, which the Warriors would have been pleased with considering the weight of possession against them.
Having been on the receiving end of a 5-1 penalty count in the first half, it was close to reversed in the second half,5-2 in favour of the Warriors. This didn't help them though, as the continually coughed up possession to the Raiders, who gleefully used it to their own advantage.
This took the shape of four second half tries, three of which were converted by Campese.
The Warriors looked lacklustre throughout the match, and while far from being out of finals contention, will need to recapture their form quickly if they are not too lose touch with the top eight.
Not many positives too come out of the match for the Warriors, but they do look less cluttered in the halves with Stacey Jones been given full control to organise the team around the field, now that Nathan Fien has been dropped.
They host the West Tigers next week and there doesn't appear to be anywhere for the coaching staff to go in terms of changes, as they have close to a full strength team on the park currently.
Perhaps Kevin Locke is close to selection but wholesale changes would mean bringing in inexperienced players at a difficult time. Not a likely option.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Round 11- NRL Preview
Tigers vs Broncos
Tigers will be ruing their one point loss last Sunday. They had a comfortable lead and let it slip. They are up against a better attacking team this week, in the Broncos and can not afford to relax.
Broncos will be desperate to get as many wins as possible before State of Origin, when they traditionally struggle, due to losing a high proportion of their team to rep football. Will have too much firepower in the backline for the Tigers.
Broncos by 6
Eels vs Rabbitohs
Eels have a unsettled halves pairing and are paying for letting Brett Finch go. Add this to the fact they are up against one of the better defensive units in Souths and have the worst attack in the comp, meaning it will be hard going for the Eels.
Souths will be riding high after their last gasp win over the Tigers, and with Michael Crocker adding extra starch to the team, should be too strong.
Rabbitohs by 4
Sharks vs Dragons
It is a sad indictment on the Cronulla club when it can be said that their teams performance on the paddock this year, exceeds by far, their performance off the field! Well, they have home ground advantage. This may count for something, if in fact they still have any supporters left. They have lost their major sponsor in the last two days. This uncertainty cannot be doing much for the players positive frame of mind, needed to play well.
The dragons have the most miserly defence of all, and up against a team that is not renowned for their attacking brilliance, this should be enough to get them the win.
Dragons by 10
Bulldogs vs Storm
Bulldogs were on the receiving end of one of the most appalling decisions yet, to be made by a video ref, last weekend. They are a tougher team mentally this year, so can be expected to survive this latest setback.
Melbourne are starting to show signs of recapturing their form of old. With Finch there, opposition sides can no longer aim to shut Cooper Cronk down, thinking he is the only playmaker. Finch adds another attacking dimension to the Storm.
Storm by 2
Penrith vs Roosters
Penrith are a better side with Walsh at halfback, which has allowed Sammut to attack from fullback and play a more ad-lib style of football. If the Panthers are on their game, expect a high scoring game.
Rumour has it, officials at the Roosters are said to be happy that players are finding activities outside of football to keep themselves busy. A case in point is big Willie Mason, who is alleged to have snared the lead role in the 2010 world premier of "Piddler on the Wall".
Penrith by 15
Raiders vs Warriors
Raiders traditionally do well in this match. Though, Campese will need to step up, who they rely on for their attack.
The Warriors have dropped Fien and brought Joel Moon back in at stand-off. If the Warriors are to be a serious threat this season, there is no better time than this match to prove they are capable.
Warriors by 4
Titans vs Sea Eagles
Titans at home are never easy, but have not beaten Manly in their short history. And they are up against a Manly side just rediscovering their form.
For manly, this is an ideal opportunity to show they are for real. That they can win consistently without Brett Stewart.
Sea Eagles by 2
Cowboys vs Knights
Both teams are in fine form. Thurston vs Gidley. For the Cowboys, Thurston is in superlative form. If this continues and the forwards lay a strong base for him to work from, they will be nigh on impossible to beat at home.
Gidley made great metres up the middle of the ruck last week. It will be harder for him this time around, up against a form team, but his team need his spark if they are to win this.
Cowboys by 6
Tigers vs Broncos
Tigers will be ruing their one point loss last Sunday. They had a comfortable lead and let it slip. They are up against a better attacking team this week, in the Broncos and can not afford to relax.
Broncos will be desperate to get as many wins as possible before State of Origin, when they traditionally struggle, due to losing a high proportion of their team to rep football. Will have too much firepower in the backline for the Tigers.
Broncos by 6
Eels vs Rabbitohs
Eels have a unsettled halves pairing and are paying for letting Brett Finch go. Add this to the fact they are up against one of the better defensive units in Souths and have the worst attack in the comp, meaning it will be hard going for the Eels.
Souths will be riding high after their last gasp win over the Tigers, and with Michael Crocker adding extra starch to the team, should be too strong.
Rabbitohs by 4
Sharks vs Dragons
It is a sad indictment on the Cronulla club when it can be said that their teams performance on the paddock this year, exceeds by far, their performance off the field! Well, they have home ground advantage. This may count for something, if in fact they still have any supporters left. They have lost their major sponsor in the last two days. This uncertainty cannot be doing much for the players positive frame of mind, needed to play well.
The dragons have the most miserly defence of all, and up against a team that is not renowned for their attacking brilliance, this should be enough to get them the win.
Dragons by 10
Bulldogs vs Storm
Bulldogs were on the receiving end of one of the most appalling decisions yet, to be made by a video ref, last weekend. They are a tougher team mentally this year, so can be expected to survive this latest setback.
Melbourne are starting to show signs of recapturing their form of old. With Finch there, opposition sides can no longer aim to shut Cooper Cronk down, thinking he is the only playmaker. Finch adds another attacking dimension to the Storm.
Storm by 2
Penrith vs Roosters
Penrith are a better side with Walsh at halfback, which has allowed Sammut to attack from fullback and play a more ad-lib style of football. If the Panthers are on their game, expect a high scoring game.
Rumour has it, officials at the Roosters are said to be happy that players are finding activities outside of football to keep themselves busy. A case in point is big Willie Mason, who is alleged to have snared the lead role in the 2010 world premier of "Piddler on the Wall".
Penrith by 15
Raiders vs Warriors
Raiders traditionally do well in this match. Though, Campese will need to step up, who they rely on for their attack.
The Warriors have dropped Fien and brought Joel Moon back in at stand-off. If the Warriors are to be a serious threat this season, there is no better time than this match to prove they are capable.
Warriors by 4
Titans vs Sea Eagles
Titans at home are never easy, but have not beaten Manly in their short history. And they are up against a Manly side just rediscovering their form.
For manly, this is an ideal opportunity to show they are for real. That they can win consistently without Brett Stewart.
Sea Eagles by 2
Cowboys vs Knights
Both teams are in fine form. Thurston vs Gidley. For the Cowboys, Thurston is in superlative form. If this continues and the forwards lay a strong base for him to work from, they will be nigh on impossible to beat at home.
Gidley made great metres up the middle of the ruck last week. It will be harder for him this time around, up against a form team, but his team need his spark if they are to win this.
Cowboys by 6
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Warriors Slump to Big Loss
The New Zealand Warriors, in their worst performance of the season, have gone down to the North Queensland Cowboys, 34-12, at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland today.
The Warriors put in a first half half effort that was error ridden and at times they looked to be comatose. As opposed to the Cowboys who, playing into a strong wind, played the percentages well, with Captain Johnathon Thurston controlling the pace of the game well with a judicious kicking game.
Kicking deep into Warriors territory, usually to the Warriors right side defence to avoid Manu Vatuvei getting too much ball, the Cowboys were able to force errors from the Warriors in their own half, negating the Warriors perceived attacking threat.
Not that they had much too worry about there.
Time and again the Warriors handed over ball to the opposition due to poor ball handling.
When they did hold onto the ball, they failed to kick early in the tackle count, thus abusing the advantage of a strong wind behind their backs.
And, on the few occasions they did get ball near the Cowboys goal line, they looked devoid of ideas on attack.
North Queensland scored two tries in the first half, one to Travis Burns and the other to Thurston, who stepped off his left foot to go over in the 30th minute untouched, giving his team a ten points to two half-time lead.
A comfortable position, having had the better of field position and possession, despite running into the wind.
The Warriors, having looked disorganised during the first half, did nothing initially in the second half to change that perception.
Until the 46th minute that is. Having woken from their slumber, ten metres out from the Cowboys goal line, Lance Hohaia, gathered the ball from the back of the scrum, ran five metres across field and offloaded to Nathan Fien running back on the angle. Fien ran though a gap unopposed to score next to the uprights.
With the conversion from Denam Kemp, the Warriors were back in the match, being down by only two points, 10-8.
Not for long though. North Queensland, having been awarded a penalty for the Warriors being off-side, found themselves in enemy territory. One of Thurstons favourite places to be, it turns out. He put a grubber kick through towards the Warriors posts, with Willie Tonga collecting the ball and diving over for a 51st minute converted try.
The Warriors started to get more possession over the next ten minutes, off of a string of penalties against the Cowboys. This led to the sinbinning of James Tamou in the 57th minute.
Warriors fans could be excused for thinking their team was coming home the strongest, after the Warriors spread the ball wide in the 60th minute to Joel Moon, who off-loaded in the tackle of two Cowboys players to Denam Kemp, who dived over in the corner for his first try of the season.
This brought the score back to 16-12, but this was the end of the Warriors renaissance, which was very much of a ephemeral nature.
North Queensland ran in a further three tries, all converted by Thurston, in the last eight minutes of the match.
With the exception of a fifteen minute period during the second half, the Warriors never looked like winning.
Which leaves the Ivan Cleary coached team needing to find form sooner rather than later, if they are to avoid finding themselves losing contact with the top eight.
The New Zealand Warriors, in their worst performance of the season, have gone down to the North Queensland Cowboys, 34-12, at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland today.
The Warriors put in a first half half effort that was error ridden and at times they looked to be comatose. As opposed to the Cowboys who, playing into a strong wind, played the percentages well, with Captain Johnathon Thurston controlling the pace of the game well with a judicious kicking game.
Kicking deep into Warriors territory, usually to the Warriors right side defence to avoid Manu Vatuvei getting too much ball, the Cowboys were able to force errors from the Warriors in their own half, negating the Warriors perceived attacking threat.
Not that they had much too worry about there.
Time and again the Warriors handed over ball to the opposition due to poor ball handling.
When they did hold onto the ball, they failed to kick early in the tackle count, thus abusing the advantage of a strong wind behind their backs.
And, on the few occasions they did get ball near the Cowboys goal line, they looked devoid of ideas on attack.
North Queensland scored two tries in the first half, one to Travis Burns and the other to Thurston, who stepped off his left foot to go over in the 30th minute untouched, giving his team a ten points to two half-time lead.
A comfortable position, having had the better of field position and possession, despite running into the wind.
The Warriors, having looked disorganised during the first half, did nothing initially in the second half to change that perception.
Until the 46th minute that is. Having woken from their slumber, ten metres out from the Cowboys goal line, Lance Hohaia, gathered the ball from the back of the scrum, ran five metres across field and offloaded to Nathan Fien running back on the angle. Fien ran though a gap unopposed to score next to the uprights.
With the conversion from Denam Kemp, the Warriors were back in the match, being down by only two points, 10-8.
Not for long though. North Queensland, having been awarded a penalty for the Warriors being off-side, found themselves in enemy territory. One of Thurstons favourite places to be, it turns out. He put a grubber kick through towards the Warriors posts, with Willie Tonga collecting the ball and diving over for a 51st minute converted try.
The Warriors started to get more possession over the next ten minutes, off of a string of penalties against the Cowboys. This led to the sinbinning of James Tamou in the 57th minute.
Warriors fans could be excused for thinking their team was coming home the strongest, after the Warriors spread the ball wide in the 60th minute to Joel Moon, who off-loaded in the tackle of two Cowboys players to Denam Kemp, who dived over in the corner for his first try of the season.
This brought the score back to 16-12, but this was the end of the Warriors renaissance, which was very much of a ephemeral nature.
North Queensland ran in a further three tries, all converted by Thurston, in the last eight minutes of the match.
With the exception of a fifteen minute period during the second half, the Warriors never looked like winning.
Which leaves the Ivan Cleary coached team needing to find form sooner rather than later, if they are to avoid finding themselves losing contact with the top eight.
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