COWBOYS 24 - 12 WARRIORS
FULLTIME: The Cowboys have kept the Warriors scoreless in the second half to record a 24-12 win over the Warriors. Despite the loss, that was one of the better Warriors perfomances of the season. Sadly it looks all over for the Kiwi side in 2017.
The Warriors would have to win every game now to have a chance of making the top eight. Despite that, and what people say the team has grown and improved under Stephen Kearney.
80mins: TRY COWBOYS: Javid Bowen swoops on the loose ball and runs 90 metres to score the try which could end the Warriors season.
79mins: 30 out on the last tackle, Lino kicks high and David Fusitu'a jumps for the ball and throws it back to his captain but the ball goes to ground.
78mins: The Cowboys have a overlap and they attack down the left wing. Javid Bowen kicks and it goes dead. Seven-tackle set for the Warriors.
77mins: Bunty Afoa goes close on the fourth. Last tackle Solomone Kata tries to sneak over on the line, but he is held up. They should get one more chance.
76mins: Another penalty to the Warriors. They start the set 35 out from the line.
75mins: Lachlan Coote goes for the one-pointer and it comes off the post and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck gets the ball and is tackeld by Jake Granville, but the hooker was offside.
73mins: Kieran Foran goes for the 40/20 and it has the distance, but it just goes out on the full. Only just. The Cobwoys now have a scrum inside the Warriors half. Field goal coming up maybe?
72mins: Another high kick by Mason Lino and it lands 10 out from the line. Cowboys now in possession of the ball.
71mins: Cowboys kick the ball into touch and now the Warriors have a scrum.
70mins: Ata Hingano is on for the Warriors. On the last the Warriors kick towards the posts, but Te Marie Martin just gets to the ball before a flying Tuivasa-Sheck.
69mins: Play is back underway an the Cowboys kick inside their half on the last tackle.
68mins: Issac Luke kicks the ball into touch after a great kick from dummy-half.
67mins: The Cowboys go close to scoring, but a great defensive play by the away side keeps them in the match.
65mins: Another attacking kick by the Cowboys and they force a drop-out. Big set of six comming up.
64mins: The Warriors kick early and Lachlan Coote takes the catch, and his hammered by Ben Matulino returning the ball. On the next play the Cowboys win a penalty.
63mins: Cowboys put uup an attacking kick and Ken Maumalo takes the catch by sliding along the ground.
62mins: A poor end to the set by the Warriors are they kick the ball dead.
60mins: The Cowboys kick on the last and the Warriors let the ball go into touch.
59mins: From the sideline and it falls short.
58mins: TRY COWBOYS: Ethan Lowe goes over and the Cowboys lead by six with a kick to come. Kyle Feldt made a goo run and threw the offload outwide to Lowe who dives over like a winger to score.
57mins: A bizzare play means for the Cowboys have a resh set of six. RTS jumped high and fell down, and the ball came off his legs.
56mins: Poor set by the Warriors which resulted in a poor kick on the last. The Cowboys are picking up the tempo as we approachthe final quarter.
54mins: The Cowboys put in a attacking kick 10 out, and it nearly pays off, but the ball goes forward.
53mins: Last tackle and 2- out, Lino kicks high again but it is too deep. Cowboys have a seven-tackle set.
52mins: Some great hands by the Cowboys but as they make the break, a pass goes forward. Warriors scrum inside their half.
51mins: PENALTY GOAL COWBOYS: Ethan Lowe kicks the goal and the Cowboys are back in front.
49mins: 10 out from the line and it is another penalty and the Cowboys are going for goal.
49mins: Penalty to the Cowboys. Very lucky with that play. Michael Morgan takes the quick tap.
48mins: Mason Lino throws a great ball but Blake Ayshford is tackeld short. Next play the warriors kick and it hits the posts and it bounces up for Kieran Foran and Gavin Cooper knocks the ball out as the five-eight was about to dive over.
46mins: 10 out from the line, and the Warriors win a penalty. Fresh set of six for the away side looking to sore first in the second half.
45mins: On the last the Warriors kick towards to posts and Lachlan Coote runs right into the posts and the away side traps the fullback. Another repeat set.
44mins: The Warriors are now 10 out from the line.
43mins: Chris Satae is on for his debut and makes a good run. Mason Lino kicks on the last an they trap Kyle Felt in-goal.
42mins: The Cowboys go close to scoring on the fourth. On the last, Michael Morgan kick through but it goes dead-in-goal.
41mins: Good first set by the Warriors as they make 50 metres. The Cowboys rush Mason Lino on the last and it turns out to be a disappointing end to the set. Then Ligi Sao gives away a penalty for a high tackle.
40mins: The second half is underway in North Queensland. We are in for a cracking final 40.
HALFTIME: Solid first half by both sides in Townsville. The Warriors scored first, but the Cowboys hit back with two tries. The Warriors then scored right on halftime and this score is a goo reflection of how the first half has been.
40mins: No mistake by Issac Luke. Tie game.
40mins: TRY WARRIORS: Simon Mannering forced the mistake, and he scores the try. Kieran Foran throws a lovely ball and the former captian runs a great line and dives over the line.
39mins: The Cowboys make a mistake inside their half and the Warriors will have 45 seconds to do something with the ball.
38mins: Ethan Lowe kicks it over the posts again and the Cowboys lead by six.
37mins: TRY COWBOYS: The try is given and the Cowboys take the lead in Tonwnsville.
37mins: BUNKER COWBOYS: Possible try to the Cowboys. Jake Granville kicks from dummy-half and the ball bounces right through to Javid Bowen who strolls over. But the referees want to take a look.
36mins: Coen Hess goes close and wins a penalty. The Cowboys take the tap.
35mins: Another penalty to the Cowboys. The home side start the set 30 out from the line.
34mins: Kieran Foran attacks, and offloads to Bunty Afoa, but falls in the process and the ball goes forward.
33mins: Michael Morgan kicks on the fourth inside the 40, but the ball goes in the direction of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and he returns the ball.
31mins: Ligi Sao goes over, but he is held up. Next play however, the Warriors make a mistake and let the home side off the hook.
30mins: NO TRY WARRIORS: Lino was held up, but the Warriors have a fresh set of six, 10 out from the line.
30mins: BUNKER WARRIORS: Mason Lino goes over, but the referee says no try. However, if they get the red light - they have a penalty.
30mins: Solomone Kata makes a break and the Warriors are 10 out from the line.
29mins: Penalty to the Warriors for a high tackle.
28mins: On the last tackle the Cowboys kick from dummy half, and Sam Lisone dives on the ball and the Warriors hold on.
27mins: Te Marie Martin goes close for the home side.
26mins: The Cowboys attack down the right edge, but the Warriors get to Justin O'Neill just in time. On the last, the Cowboys kick high and David Fusitu'a knocks the ball back and Blake Ayshford dives on the ball. Drop out time.
25mins: The Warriors scramble on the last and eventually get the kick away. Next play, however, the Cowboys win a penalty.
24mins: Another great set by the Cowboys and they go down the shortside again, but the Warriors read the play and shut down Te Maire Martin.
23mins: Mason Lino kicks inside the 40, and it nearly turns to custard for Lachlan Coote, but he gets to the ball.
22mins: Good set by the Cowboys and they attack down the shortside, but Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is back and colects the ball.
20mins: Tie game as Ethan Lowe lands the conversion.
19mins: TRY COWBOYS: The Cowboys hit back and Justin O'Neill goes over. The Cowboys run on the last and catch the Warriors napping. That is his first try of the season. Beautiful rugby league try.
18mins: Poor end to that set by the Warriors as the kick goes out on the full.
16mins: Another great kick by the Warriors, but it just goes too deep. Seven tackle-set for the Cowboys.
15mins: The Warriors apply more pressure. Issac Luke goes over the line on the fourth.
14mins: Bunty Afoa with another strong and then they Warriors attack right. On the last, Mason Lino kicks in behind the Cowboys line and forces a drop-out.
13mins: Penalty goes to the Warriors.
12mins: Cowboys kick high and Ken Maumalo takes the high ball safely as he is swamped by the Cowboys chasers.
11mins: Kieran Foran kicks early in the set and the Cowboys start the set just outside their 20. Foran is looking good so far.
10mins: Issac Luke kicks the conversion right over the black dot. Warriors lead 6-0 early.
9mins: TRY WARRIORS: Bunty Afoa is put into a massive hole and he sprints over the line. Great line run by Bunty, assisted by RTS. That is his first try of the season.
7mins: Kieran Foran with another good play and the Warriors are close to the line once more. The Warriors kick early and force a drop-out.
6mins: Penalty to the Warriors now who start the set 30 out from their line.
5mins: The Cowboys are very close to the line and Michael Morgan kicks on the fourth and the ball dribbles dead. Seven-tackle set for the Warriors.
4mins: The Cowboys win a early penalty inside their half. They will start the set 40 out from the line with an attacking set.
3mins: Kieran Foran atacks the line and is tackeld 20 out. They are then five out and Mason Lino makes half-a-break but as he falls to the ground, he loses control of the ball.
2mins: 15 out on the last play and Mason Lino stabs a kick in an it bounces high and Lachlan Coote gets to the ball, but it tackeld in-goal.
1mins: The Cowboys get up to the halfway line on the last and they make a mistake. Warriors to start their first set just inside the Cowboys half.
KICKOFF: We are underway in Townsville. The Warriors kick off and the Cowboys have first use of the ball.
9:28 pm: Plenty of Warriors fans at the stadium. They are now out on the field.
9:26 pm: If you missed it, the Melbourne Storm have beaten the Canberra Raiders, but the match was mared by an ugly incident early in the second half. Click here to watch it.
Hello and welcome to live updates of the North Queensland Cowboys hosting the New Zealand Warriors at 1300Smiles Stadium, in Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
We bring you live streaming written commentary, video highlights (be sure to refresh your browser) and all the action. VIDEO will be available as soon as the final whistle goes.
Commentary will start from around 9:30 pm (NZT).
Lineups
Cowboys
1. Lachlan Coote, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Justin O'Neill, 4. Kane Linnett, 21 Javid Bowen, 6. Te Maire Martin, 7.Michael Morgan, 16. Shaun Fensom, 9. Jake Granville, 10. Scott Bolton, 11. Gavin Cooper, 12. Ethan Lowe, 13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 8. John Asiata, 14. Ben Hampton, 15. Coen Hess, 17. Corey Jensen
Warriors
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2. David Fusitu'a, 3. Blake Ayshford, 4. Solomone Kata, 21. Ken Maumalo, 6.Kieran Foran, 7. Mason Lino, 8. Jacob Lillyman, 9. Issac Luke, 10. Ben Matulino, 11. Bodene Thompson, 12. Bunty Afoa, 13. Simon Mannering
Interchange: 14. Ata Hingano , 15. Sam Lisone, 17. Ligi Sao, 20. Chris Satae
Match facts and stats
Referees: Henry Perenara and Tim Roby
Sideline Officials: Clayton Sharpe and Dave Ryan
Review Officials: Steve Chiddy and Luke Patten
The Warriors have won just one of their last 11 games in Townsville.
Past meetings
*Head to head: Played 36, Cowboys 18, Warriors 18, draws 0
In Townsville: Played 17, Cowboys 12, Warriors 5, draws 0
Last time played: Cowboys 34 def Warriors 6, August 20, 2016
Head-to-head: Cowboys- $1.30 Warriors- $3.30
*Stats from NRL.com
Pre-match banter - Warriors coach Stephen Kearney rubbishes claims Kieran Foran has turned focus to Bulldogs in 2018
Warriors coach Stephen Kearney has leapt to the defence of standoff Kieran Foran after allegations the marquee signing hasn't been putting forth his best efforts in recent weeks as he eyes his move to the Bulldogs next season.
Foran signed a three-year deal for the Sydney-based Bulldogs in May, and hasn't been as prominent in recent weeks as the Warriors have begun their now trademark limp towards the end of the season.
Former head coach Frank Endacott told Newshub on Tuesday that he believes the 27-year-old's commitment has been waning as the Warriors' campaign has approached its conclusion, preferring instead to turn his attention to his future with Canterbury.
"If you look at recent weeks Foran hasn't played that great, and I think he's already thinking about Bulldogs," Endacott said.
However, Kearney refuted such suggestions at Warriors training on Wednesday, instead citing a distinct lack of quality from his players across the board.
"I think with everyone, there's been stages where we haven't been at our best. To single out Kieran [Foran] is pretty ordinary," Kearney told media.
"Has he been at his best? Absolutely not, but that's not by himself.
"I don’t think he's clocked out early."
When quizzed about Foran's lacklustre performance in the side's 34-22 loss to the Panthers on Friday, Kearney again deflected any criticism.
"I thought he did some okay things early in the contest.
"I'm not going to be really critical of Kieran [Foran] because I think, as I keep saying and have said a number of times before, it's a team performance.
"My expectation is that you'll see a better performance from Kieran this week."
Currently placed 11th and four points off the top eight, the Auckland-based franchise only stands an outside chance of making the finals as they're forced to rely on other results to go their way.
They'll also need to win without their mercurial playmaker Shaun Johnson, who's likely to miss the remainder of the regular season with a PCL rupture.
The side now travels to Townsville to take on the North Queensland Cowboys on Saturday night.
Newshub.
