Before their clash today, they were the only side yet to win a game in the NRL, but after the completion of their Rd 4 clash – that statistic is no more, as the New Zealand Warriors overpowered a disappointing North Queensland Cowboys outfit at Eden Park, winning 20-18.
Trailing 12-0 at one stage, the Warriors rallied back and withstood a late fightback by the Cowboys to hold on for victory – a won that left Matt Elliott pleased for his players first and foremost.
“I’m just really happy for the players,” Elliott said.
“I think the word pride is sometimes overused, but the adversity that we encountered in that game, losing three outside backs and having to finish the game with 12 men – it was probably the best way we could eke out a result.”
There was a downside to the win, however, with both Kevin Locke and Ben Henry leaving the field with concussion and centre Dane Nielsen leaving the field with suspected rib cartilage damage.
The Cowboys now plummet to the bottom rungs of the ladder, having lost their last 3 games, in a performance where captain Johnathan Thurston lamented his side’s poor ball control.
“Second half, they just controlled the ball,” he said.
“They were a lot better than us and that’s where we lost the game.
“Nine errors against any side in 40 minutes of football – you just can’t compete with that.”
3. Shaun Johnson
2. Ben Matulino
1. Bill Tupou