A ‘dominant’ Cowboys outfit have bested their Queensland rivals in a tense affair in Townsville.
Todd Payten’s side came absent with a 40-26 get right after holding only a two-position direct likely into halftime.
Kevin Walters’ Broncos kicked off the scoring soon after a messy participate in noticed the ball pop out for hooker Billy Walters to ground it.
MATCH CENTRE: Cowboys vs Broncos live score, video, stats
But Maroons winger Murray Taulagi strike back immediately, reeling in an Adam Reynolds pass to score a spectacular intercept.
“Intercept, Taulagi accepts the gift and we are all tied up in the Queensland derby,’ Brenton Speed said.
“Wonderful defensive positioning from Taulagi, both groups beginning to increase their video game coming out of their personal close,” Corey Parker explained.
Soon after halftime, the Cowboys arrived out firing with dummy-50 percent Reece Robson taking manage to file a try out and attempt aid prior to younger gun Jeremiah Nanai stole the clearly show.
“Dominant in this next 40 the dwelling team, on track to do the double over significant brother in 2022,” Velocity mentioned.
“Jeremiah Nanai, what a consider scorer he is, he scores tries for entertaining,” Parker reported.
But the Broncos weren’t accomplished there with Adam Reynolds inspiring a Purple Hill comeback.
Winger Corey Oates flew on to a pinpoint brief-ball from his marquee halfback ahead of Selwyn Cobbo took in excess of.
The younger gun, who shifted to fullback to protect an injury to Te Maire Martin, broke by way of the Cowboys line, sprinting 60 metres.
Then he took the ball and charged about – but it was not adequate, with the Broncos handing possession more than twice with two mistakes in the final three minutes.
Payten’s facet weren’t performed either, scoring off the back of the scrum to rub their dominance in the faces of their Queensland rivals.
Fox League’s Cooper Cronk labelled the clash a “hard fought affair” and praised their resilience to finest a different finals contender.
Read down below for the vital takeaways from Saturday night’s Queensland derby!!
DRINKWATER’S Pink-Warm Type Proceeds
Cowboys winger Scott Drinkwater has once more delivered for the North Queensland aspect.
The 25-12 months-aged fullback has been in scintillating form soon after earning choice in Todd Payten’s 17 and Fox League’s Corey Parker was shocked the previous Storm participant was down the pecking purchase to get started the year.
Drinkwater sat guiding flyer Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow as Payten’s second string fullback, but has due to the fact taken his chance with both equally fingers.
“Drinkwater, beautiful little go, what a year he is acquiring, to feel that he was not a element of this facet in the opening handful of rounds and exactly where they have occur from,” Corey Parker reported.
“Scott Drinkwater now has as lots of check out assists as Chad Townsend, and try to remember Drinkwater only get his probability when Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow went down.”
Drinkwater completed 81 operating metres, 3 tackle breaks, 3 line crack assists and a staggering a few try out helps in his side’s major Queensland derby gain.
STAGGS’ FAILS TO Fire
Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs has failed to make an impression in the vital Queensland derby.
Staggs will dropped from Brad Fittler’s Blues facet just after a singular look in Activity I but appeared for Tonga in agent round above the weekend.
In that recreation, the 23-calendar year-outdated was reliable but did not come into the equation from the Cowboys.
Fox League’s Corey Parker termed for Staggs to go on the lookout for the ball as the Broncos mounted a late comeback.
“They need to have a operate of possession, we pointed out about what sort of stars are likely to stand up, I go back to Kotoni Staggs, almost an hour of soccer and he touched the ball two times,” Parker claimed.
“Can Staggs come across some ball on the suitable hand aspect,” Speed said.
“He has bought to go searching for it, he is so challenging to put down, he can develop so a great deal momentum,” Parker claimed.
Staggs concluded the night with only 22 managing metres from 4 carries as nicely as 12 tackles.
NANAI’S STAGGERING Statistics
Jeremiah Nanai continues to tally four-tips in 2022.
The Cowboys backrower scores tries “for fun” according to Fox League’s Brenton Pace and the data prove… he certainly does.
The 19-calendar year-aged now sits in fifth place on the try out scoring leaderboard, surrounded by prolific exterior backs these as Alex Johnston, Taylan Might and Ryan Papenhuyzen.
“Jeremiah Nanai, why would not you, what a try out scorer he is, he scores tries for pleasurable,” Brenton Velocity claimed.
“Plenty of tries of kicks and a great deal of personal brilliance correct listed here,” Parker mentioned.
Speed also revealed Nanai is only one try away from equalling a club record, and the barnstorming backrower is set to blow it out of the park.
“12 for Nanai, along with Coen Hess, Gavin Cooper and Glen Morrison who sit on 13, and a great deal of time to include to it,” Velocity reported.
“Incredible to believe an edge backrower, when you see Taylan May well and Papenhuyzen and Johnston, only a pair in advance,” Parker reported.
Stream each game of just about every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Reside & Ad-Crack Free of charge During Enjoy on Kayo. New to Kayo? Check out 14-days cost-free now.
Get all the most up-to-date NRL news, highlights and investigation delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Athletics Sportmail. Indicator up now!!
Comply with the motion reside in our website under. If you cannot see it, click on below.
