North Queensland Cowboys

Cowboys hold off injury-hit Titans to get back on track

Coming off back-to-back losses to the Broncos and Warriors, Todd Payten's men were forced to dig deep after they trailed 8-0 in the shadows of half-time.

The Titans drew first blood in just the fourth minute when winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira finished off a slick right side raid, taking the final pass from David Fifita and touching down for his fourth try of the season. Tanah Boyd's conversion made it 6-0.

Match Preview: Cowboys v Titans

The Titans will be bouncing into training this week full of confidence after running in three tries in seven minutes to defeat Melbourne last week while the Cowboys will be hoping to make amends with their fans after falling to the Warriors at home.

The Cowboys have struggled to produce an 80-minute performance in their opening three games, with only one second-half scored compared to seven conceded and coach Todd Payten will be hoping to shore up their defensive efforts ahead of Saturday's Queensland derby. 

Warriors down Cowboys to end 11-month Australian losing streak

Led by star halfback Shaun Johnson, the Warriors overcame an early deficit to pile on five tries to two to secure their first win outside New Zealand since downing Canberra 21-20 at Redcliffe in Round 8 last season.

Johnson combined with five-eighth Te Maire Martin to have a hand in three of his side's tries as the Warriors capitalised on a dominant forward performance built of the back of a high completion rate.

Match Preview: Cowboys v Warriors

North Queensland will be hurting from last week's derby loss to the Broncos, which also saw them lose Scott Drinkwater (three games) and Peta Hiku (two matches) to suspension. 

The Warriors meanwhile were left to rue poor execution in the final quarter of their 20-12 loss to the Roosters on Saturday, after they had battled on valiantly in the face of losing Jackson Ford (head knock), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (head knock) and Josh Curran (hip).

Reece is the word as Broncos produce a derby dazzler

With Walsh at his mesmerising best and five-eighth Ezra Mam also enjoying a magical night, the Broncos made it two straight wins to start the season.

The Cowboys flew out of the blocks with Jason Taumalolo making big metres and star back-rower Jeremiah Nanai capitalising on the early possession with some trademark footwork to cross in the fifth minute.

Some desperate defence by Chad Townsend denied Mam a chance to hit back in the 12th minute before the Cowboys extended their lead to 8-0 midway through the half courtesy of a Val Holmes penalty goal.

Broncos v Cowboys: Match Preview

The Broncos upset reigning premiers Penrith last Friday night, out-enthusing the more favoured home side in the forwards, with a late field goal by skipper Adam Reynolds securing Brisbane's first victory in Panthers territory since 2009.

After missing four games at the end of last season due to suspension, Broncos prop Patrick Carrigan didn't miss a beat, with 50 tackles for the match. Fullback Selwyn Cobbo ran 197 metres in his first NRL game as the starting No. 1.

Cowboys withstand classic Canberra comeback

It was a typical 'game of two halves', with the Raiders forced to do a mountain of defence in the first half, on the back foot early with the home side heaping on the pressure.

After defending their own goal line gamely, with a few try-saving intercept attempts denying the Cowboys their opening points, the pressure finally told, with Murray Taulagi scoring in the 25th minute after being denied only moments early by Nick Cotric swiping the ball from his hands as he was running for the line.

Match Preview: Cowboys v Raiders

Both sides were part of the finals action in 2022 but came up short of the ultimate prize with the grind of a long season taking its toll on Ricky Stuart's Raiders particularly, who dealt with a number of injuries throughout the year.

The Cowboys have lost Tom Gilbert to the Dolphins and are also without Heilum Luki (knee) and Luciano Leilua (stood down) but they still boast a strong pack which includes rep stars Reuben Cotter and Jeremiah Nanai.

Broncos earn bragging rights after holding off Cowboys comeback

Having led for the majority of the contest, the Broncos fell behind with 20 minutes to play when Jeremiah Nanai crossed untouched for the Cowboys, before regaining the lead late on through Jesse Arthars to secure a narrow two-point victory.

Stepping in at halfback with captain Adam Reynolds rested, Jock Madden looked comfortable alongside Ezra Mam and young sensation Selwyn Cobbo at fullback, with the trio scoring or assisting all of the Broncos' first half tries.

Cowboys final team list: Trial v Dolphins

Kulikefu Finefeuiaki has been ruled out, with hooker Jai Hansen and Northern Pride second rower Ewan Moore added to the extended bench. 

Cowboys team to play Dolphins:

1. Tom Chester

2. Laitia Moceidreke

3. Gehamat Shibasaki