NRL 2022: Former NZ Warriors coach Todd Payten guides North Queensland to opening win over Canberra

Former NZ Warriors coach Todd Payten has eased some of the pressure on his role at North Queensland Cowboys, with a 26-6 win over Canberra Raiders at Townsville.

After losing to 2021 wooden-spooners Canterbury Bulldogs in their season-opener - and finishing only one spot off the bottom last season - Payten's second campaign with the Cowboys was off to a shaky start.

The comprehensive result over Ricky Stuart's Raiders should quell some of those doubts, along with a more spirited performance from star forward Jason Taumalolo, whose relationship with Payten has not always been harmonious.

Auckland-born winger Murray Taulagi opened the scoring with a spectacular try in the sixth minute, holding the ball one-handed away from despairing defenders, as he stepped over in the corner.

NZ Kiwis second-rower Corey Harawira-Naera answered for Canberra, powering through four tacklers to score, then kicking his first goal in almost 100 NRL games, but that was the Raiders' only scoring action of the contest.

Ahead 8-6 at halftime, the Cowboys piled on tries through fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, winger Kyle Feldt and NZ-born forward Jeremiah Nanai to romp away in the second half.

Taumalolo compiled 161 running metres - second only to former Warriors utility Peta Hiku (166) - while two-time Warrior Chad Townsend provided the spark from the halves.

"I went into last week's game without playing a trial match," says Taumalolo. "Tonight felt a lot better and obviously the outside noise was a bit of motivator for me, so it is good to be out there and running freely again."

Meanwhile, a last-minute try to forward Teig Wilton, converted after the siren by half Nico Hynes, has seen Cronulla Sharks pip Parramatta Eels 18-16 at Sydney.

Cronulla scored four tries to their rivals' two, but a poor kicking night for Hynes kept the Eels in the fight until the end, when his boot ultimately proved the difference.

NZ-born speedsters Ronaldo Mulitalo and Sione Katoa scored for the Sharks, along with half Connor Tracey, while half Mitchell Moses and hooker Reed Mahoney had Parramatta's tries. 

Deputising for a dinged-up Moses, Eels skipper Clint Gutherson enjoyed a perfect night off the kicking tee, with two conversions and two penalies, but was not able to inspire his side home.