The Warriors have as soon as once more delivered a tricky efficiency to down a struggling Cowboys outfit 22-14 at Mt Smart Stadium.
Andrew Webster’s aspect flew out of the blocks after a sensible break from returning winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
Tohu Harris discovered his barnstorming prop Addin Fonua-Blake on the within to attain earlier than the Cowboys wrestled again momentum to attain by means of Murray Taulagi.
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Edward Kosi was the subsequent to attain after a barnstorming run from Warriors centre Marcelo Montoya, scoring with their backs to the wall.
On the stroke of halftime Reuben Cotter charged his means over because the rating sat 10-8 going into the break.
Warriors backrower Josh Curran was the subsequent to cross the white line from a sensible Shaun Johnson brief ball.
Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Scott Drinkwater orchestrated a attempt to degree the rating in a shock flip of occasions.
He noticed Valentine Holmes in area and located his gun centre with a sensible grubber.
Seven minutes later, low season recruit Dylan Walker stood tall, bursting his means over the road after a fortunate Shaun Johnson deflection.
The ball bounced straight again to the gun halfback who hit Walker in area on the left-side of the sector to attain.
From then on it was a backwards and forwards contest, and after a seemingly easy penalty objective was missed, Drinkwater put the 20-metre drop out flying over the sideline.
Johnson didn’t miss twice and gave his aspect an eight-point buffer with seconds remaining on the clock and safe an enormous win.
Read beneath for all the massive speaking factors!
WARRIORS ‘CRACKED THE CODE’
The Warriors have as soon as once more proven why they’re a unique beast in 2023, displaying toughness and grit lacking in years passed by.
New Zealand conceded 700 factors in 2022, probably the most of any workforce and 21 greater than the Tigers in second place.
Incoming coach Andrew Webster had an enormous job on his arms, however seems to have shifted the attitudes of the Warriors outfit for the higher and of their first six video games, that they had solely conceded 122 factors.
Against the Cowboys, New Zealand defended a number of units on their very own tryline and didn’t do themselves any favours.
The Warriors made 13 errors and accomplished at solely 76 per cent, however nonetheless obtained the job finished in defence and conceded solely 14 factors at Mt Smart Stadium.
Commentator Andrew Voss believes Webster has “cracked the da Vinci code” which may see the Warriors return to finals soccer with 5 wins after seven rounds.
“I know we are only seven rounds into the season but in some ways what we have seen form the Warriors, coach Webster has cracked the Davinci code,” Voss stated.
“He has introduced resilience to the Warriors side. They were on their heels there for eight to 10 minutes and had errors coming out of their own half and set restarts.
“Then they get a chance and they are unflappable. They get straight back into their own plan of attack. And we have seen it game after game after game this year.
“Resilience, what a valuable commodity.”
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WALKER, THE UNHERALD HERO
Dylan Walker’s arrival in New Zealand was largely overshadowed by the recruitment of Marata Niukore, Mitch Barnett and the return of Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
The 28-year-old was strictly a utility throughout his ultimate years on the Sea Eagles and he appeared set to fill the No.14 jersey for the Warriors.
But as a substitute, the previous NSW consultant has develop into considered one of Andrew Webster’s most dependable gamers, slotting into multiples positions and beginning within the No.6 jersey in opposition to the Cowboys.
Walker was electrical and made a number of defensive performs when his aspect wanted it most, scoring the essential try to incomes hefty reward from Fox League’s commentators.
“What a game he’s had too Walker, he scores the try. It was a beautiful play from Johnson, great awareness… but here Walker backs himself,” Steve Roach stated.
“He’s cleaned up so much at the back of the field with his defence.”
Voss went as far to say he’s a greater participant now than when he earned his consultant stripes, enjoying for Australia and the Blues in 2014 and 2016 respectively.
“He’s been magnificent today Walker. Going years back he got criticised, he got a bench role in Origin, he’s played for Australia… but his contribution these days and all-round game is better now than what got him to representative honours,” Voss stated.
“We were talking earlier about his utility value playing all over the shop, slots in next to Shaun Johnson and has near-on been their best player,” Roach stated.
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COWBOYS LOOK COOKED
There’s a really actual probability the Cowboys will end the spherical in sixteenth place after Todd Payten’s aspect failed to indicate something in assault regardless of dominating possession and territory for a lot of Saturday’s contest.
This is a workforce that stunned many in 2022 by enjoying with an attacking freedom that was a pleasure to look at, however they’ve develop into pedestrian this season with some worrying indicators rising throughout the ditch.
North Queensland had 55 tackles contained in the attacking 20 metre zone in comparison with simply 24 for the Warriors, but they might solely muster three tries with a kind of coming from a splendid Scott Drinkwater grubber.
They do have some gamers lacking however their backbone is unbroken and ought to be much more artistic than what we noticed on Saturday.
The loss leaves them on 4 competitors factors and miles behind the place they have been final 12 months, with the highest 4 seemingly out of attain if they will’t flip it round.
Meanwhile, Todd Payten’s resolution to flip his ahead pack and begin Jake Granville within the entrance row may come again to hang-out the pinnacle coach.
The pint-sized utility ran for simply 55 metres and was a simple goal for the house aspect’s large males, with Addin Fonua-Blake capable of muscle his means over for the opening strive.
Payten was additionally closely criticised for underplaying Jason Taumalolo a few years in the past, with the coach adamant that preservation now was the important thing to making sure his marquee man would see out his mega deal.
The powerhouse lock is averaging simply over 50 minutes per sport and he was nowhere to be seen on Saturday, operating for simply 129 metres on a day he wanted to be near 200.
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Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
