Cowboys make it three in a row

A second half master-class from the North Queensland Cowboys has seen them defeat South Sydney in a high quality match, 30-12, in front of 13,866 fans at ANZ Stadium.

Despite a brilliant display from the Johnathan Thurston led Cowboys, the talking point out of this match will almost definitely be the disallowed try against Cowboys five-eighth, Michael Morgan, on the stroke of half time.

Video referees Steve Folkes and Steve Clark agreed with on-field officials in ruling that Glenn Stewart had been obstructed from being able to tackle Michael Morgan as he stepped back inside Glenn Stewart.

After the final whistle, this controversial call didn't cost the Cowboys however, but will be sure to bring back the discussions on the obstruction rule.

The match started with both sides trading tries inside the first 10 minutes.

First, David Tyrrell crashed over from close range for the home side. In Adam Reynolds' absence, Issac Luke was given the goal kicking duties and duly added the 2-points.

Justin O'Neill, who was a late inclusion into the side, then grabbed the Cowboys first 4-pointer on the back of a pinpoint kick from Johnathan Thurston. He failed with the conversion and the Rabbitohs led 6-4.

It was the 20th minute when the next points came through Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston. After a drop ball from the Cowboys, Issac Luke scooped up the ball and ran 40m up field to put the home side on the attack. Just two plays later, with Inglis throwing the final pass, the Rabbits had there second. Issac Luke converted from the sideline and this gave us our halftime score of 12-4.

Whatever Cowboys coach, Paul Green, said to his troops at halftime did the job as they came out of the blocks running.

Before the lines at the snack bar had fully dissipated the Cowboys had the first points of the second half.

In the first set after play resumed, the Cowboys went 100m to score. Gavin Cooper pushed straight through some soft Rabbitohs defence, drew the fullback and passed to Johnathan Thurston to score near the posts. He converted his own try to narrow the margin to two points (12-10).

From that moment on it was the Cowboys that took the spotlight scoring 26 unanswered points in the second half.

Winterstein and Granville both scored 4-pointers in the coming minutes and Thurston grabbed his second in what can only be described as a second half ambush from the Cowboys.

The Cowboys take home their third win on the trot and firmly cement themselves as title contenders in 2015.

The Rabbitohs lost Jason Clark mid-way through the second half due to concussion and he will be monitored throughout the week.

Next round sees the Cowboys host the Warriors at 1300SMILES Stadium. While the Rabbitohs look to bounce back against a Cronulla Sharks side full of confidence.

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Johnathan Thurston
2 points - Matthew Scott
1 point - George Burgess

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (12)
Tries: David Tyrrell, Alex Johnston
Conversions: Issac Luke (2/2)

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (30)
Tries: Justin O'Neill, Johnathan Thurston (2), Antonio Winterstein, Jake Granville
Conversions: Johnathan Thurston (4/5)
Penalty Goals: Johnathan Thurston (1/1)

Hello and welcome to the final game of Round 6 - and what a blockbuster it promises to be!

Tonight the reigning Premiers, the South Sydney Rabbitohs, host the high-flying North Queensland Cowboys in what shapes to be the game of the round. The Cowboys come into tonight's game full of confidence on the back of two impressive wins over the Panthers and the Storm, with Johnathan Thurston returning to form. South Sydney, led by Greg Inglis, come into the game after a drama-filled 1-point victory over the Bulldogs last weekend and will be looking to cement their spot at the top of the ladder. Play is due to get underway at 7pm!

These teams most recent encounter was round 24, 2014 - with the Cowboys defeating the Rabbitohs 22-10.

LATE MAIL - For the Rabbits - John Sutton has been ruled OUT. Glenn Stewart switches from the second-row to start at five-eighth. Chris Gresmuhl moves from the bench to the vacant second-row position, with Nathan Brown filling the bench spot.

For the Cowboys - Matthew Wright is OUT, with Justin O'Neill replacing him on the wing. Glenn Hall drops of the extended bench. Kick-off only moments away!

1: Johnathan Thurston gets us underway here at ANZ. Rabbitohs have first use of the Steeden.

2: Some easy metres early for the Rabbits, resulting in a penalty for markers not being square. Rabbits on the attack.

3: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by David Tyrrell. Kick to come.
Try time for the home side! The big front-rower barging over the line!

4: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Issac Luke successful.
Issac Luke makes no mistake. Great start for the Rabbits.

4: Although names at fullback, Inglis is getting his hands on the ball.

5: Rabbits successfully complete their set after points. Ending in a good kick, trapping the Cowboys deep in their half.

6: Cowboys finally with the ball and complete the set.

6: Rabbits working the ball through the middle through Burgess. Good field position again.

7: The Cowboys receive a relieving penalty for Luke being offside from the last tackle kick.

7: Back to back penalties for the Cowboys, puts them in the opposition half for the first time tonight.

8: Thurston and Granville heavily involved in this attacking set. 5th tackle coming up.

9: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Justin O'Neill. Kick to come.
Lovely kick from Thurston on the last is taken by the leaping winner and he scores in the corner.

9: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston unsuccessful.
The conversion is waved away.

10: Very impressive start to the game from both sides. High quality football for the first 10 minutes

11: Cowboys finish their set with a kick to the corner. Inglis cleans up.

11: Penalty to the Rabbits for a leg pull. Rabbits with the ball on halfway.

12: Big run from Grevsmuhl puts the Rabbits inside the 20m line.

12: Last tackle play from Keary left a bit to be desired and the Cowboys come away with the ball.

13: Great defensive set from the Rabbits see them in good field position to start their new set.

13: Big tackle from Moga on Goodwin!

14: Mid field bomb from the Rabbits is safely defused by Coote. Cowboys ball.

14: Great back line play from the Cowboys sees O'Neill make a 40m break down the sideline but his pass inside goes to ground.

15: Cowboys compound the error with a penalty. Rabbits ball 40m out from their own line.

16: Not much from the Rabbits in that set but the 5th tackle kick from Grevsmuhl earns them a repeat set. Drop out Cowboys.

17: Bouncing drop-out finds Stewart on the 40m line. Rabbits on the attack.

17: Inglis looks to be playing in the halfs in attack. Looking dangerous.

17: Issac Luke runs himself on the last tackle and is pulled up short of the line in a great tackle by Gavin Cooper. Turnover, Cowboys ball.

18: Linnett goes down injured holding his head and neck. Video ref looking at the tackle.

18: No penalty. Cowboys continue their set, working it away from their try line.

18: Drop ball from the Cowboys is scooped up by Issac Luke and he runs 40m down field to put the Rabbits on the attack.

19: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by Alex Johnston. Kick to come.
On the back of the Luke run, the Rabbits spread the ball to the left wing and score in the corner.

20: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Issac Luke successful.
Luke with a lovely kick from the sideline. Rabbits lead 12-4.

21: Big run off the kick-off from Burgess gets the Rabbits back on the front foot.

22: Rabbits just over halfway on the last.

22: Kick down field is cleaned up by Coote. Cowboys working the ball away from their 20m zone.

23: Rabbitohs dominating field position in the first 20m.

23: Cowboys complete their set with a Thurston kick to the corner.

24: Rabbits making easy metres through the Cowboys defence.

24: High, bombing kick from the Rabbits is safely taken by Coote.

25: Cowboys with another break up the sideline through Moga. Putting them deep on the attack,

25: POSSIBLE TRY - Jake Granville crosses over, but looks like he's held up. Video ref having a look.

25: NO TRY. Cowboys still on the attack though as the Referee rules a penalty for offside.

26: Cowboys finally with some field position. What will they produce?

26: Short ball to Hannant looks like it breaks the Rabbits defence but someone he is tackled centimetres short.

27: Last tackle kick earns the Cowboys another penalty. Another set for the Cowboys.

27: Thurston directing his troops around as he goes to the line.

27: Last tackle for the Cowboys, 10m out.

28: Thurston elects to run it on the last but the play is shut down by the Rabbits defence. Rabbits ball.

28: Those three sets of defence from the Rabbits looks to have taken its toll with the Cowboys rushing in defence.

29: Cowboys get the ball back on their 40m line and in 3 tackles are deep on the attack again.

30: Last tackle kick from Morgan is defused by Millard and the Rabbits survive again.

30: Inglis with a probing run up the middle relieves the pressure for the Rabbits - for the moment anyway!

31: Rabbits clear with a good kick down field.

31: Glenn Stewart gives away a penalty and the Cowboys find touch 30m out from the Rabbits line. Can the Rabbits hold on?

32: Thurston conceeds a penalty for a obstruction. He ran behind Lowe and the referee had no choice but to award a penalty.

33: Relieving touch finder from Inglis.

33: Back to back penalties for the Rabbits - this time for a hand on the ball. Rabbits work it inside the Cowboys 20m line.

34: UNFORCED ERROR SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Tim Grant makes an unforced error.
The front rower knocks on 5m out from the line. Rabbits were looking good that set.

35: Cowboys with the scrum feed.

35: Good run up the middle from Hannant takes the Cowboys over halfway.

35: UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Kane Linnett makes an unforced error.
Knock on from the Cowboys centre late in the tackle count. Rabbits ball on their own 40m line.

36: Penalty against Hannant for holding down in the tackle. Rabbits find touch 20m out from the try line.

36: Cowboys will do well do hold out the Rabbits here!

37: POSSIBLE TRY - Inglis fools everyone with a big dummy from hooker and he dives over. Video ref checking grounding.

37: Michael Morgan sticks out his left boot and may have dislodged the football. Referee said "TRY'. Dont know if there is enough evidence to overturn the decision.

37: NO TRY - Video refs overturn the decision and decide Inglis dropped the ball. 20m tap for the Cowboys.

38: Good metres for the Cowboys in this set. 5th tackle 25m out from the Rabbits line.

38: Great 5th tackle option from Thurston sees Inglis push the ball dead. Drop out Rabbits.

39: 1minute to go in the half. The Cowboys on the attack.

40: POSSIBLE TRY - Michael Morgan slices straight thru, but it looks all to easy. Video ref checking for obstruction.

40: NO TRY. Video ref awards a penalty to the Rabbits for obstruction.

40: Thurston asking the referee for an explanation of that last decision as they head to the sheds.

40: The Rabbits head to the break with 12-4 lead. Some high quality football being played at ANZ between two heavyweights of the competition with very few knock-ons. Both teams crossed the line on multiple occasions but the video referees denied them points. The last disallowed try against the Cowboys may be the cause of some debate later this evening. However, with Inglis probing for the Rabbitohs and Thurston looking dangerous for the Cowboys its still anyones game! Stay tuned!

YOUR SAY: Lots of question marks over that pre-halftime NO TRY ruling against the Cowboys. Vote now - did the video referees stuff up?

41: Back underway here at ANZ. Cowboys with the ball.

41: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Johnathan Thurston. Kick to come.
Gavin Cooper burst straight through some soft Rabbitohs defence and passes to Thurston who scores next to the posts.

42: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
Thurston converts. Game on!

42: That try straight after half-time makes the "no try" call against Morgan even more important. Arguably, the Cowboys should be in front!

43: Great set after points from the Cowboys ending in an attacking kick.

44: Rabbits with the ball on the last tackle.

44: Kick is taken on the full by Coote. Cowboys start their set 30m out from their own line.

45: Cowboys have come out of halftime with all the energy.

45: Cowboys set ends with a kick that sees Inglis tackled in from of his posts 10m out from the line.

46: Rabbits return the favour and complete their set of six.

46: The Cowboys backs coming in an helping out the forwards in this set.

46: Penalty on the last tackle against the Rabbitohs for a strip. 30m out right in the front of the posts. Take the two?

47: JT points to the posts.

47: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Penalty goal attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
The Australian halfback locks us up. 12-12

48: Cowboys with all the momentum and field position in the second half.

48: Matt Scott getting through a mountain of work once again as he makes another big carry for the Cowboys.

49: Last tackle for the Cowboys sees Thurston kick it dead. Rabbits with 7 tackles from the 20m line.

50: Rabbits work it over half way.

51: Inside the 20m zone on the last. Keary bombs.

51: The kick is safely defused by Winterstein.

51: Winterstein down injured - holding his back.

52: Winterstein is back on his feet. Play back on.

52: Cowboys safely negotiate that set, ending with a great kick from Morgan. Rabbits tackled 2m out from their line.

53: Keary with the 5th tackle kick, taken by Coote - he has been very safe at the back tonight

54: Both sides look to have settled into this second half now.

54: Thurston is taken late as he attempts a bomb. Penalty Cowboys. Good field position.

54: Penalty kick finds the line 25m out from the try line.

55: POSSIBLE TRY - Lovely back line movement from the Cowboys sees Winterstein over in the corner. Video ref has been consulted.

55: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Antonio Winterstein. Kick to come.
On the back of some wonderful rugby league from the Cowboys - Winterstein scores in the corner.

55: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
Trademark curling kick from Thurston from the sideline. Cowboys lead for the first time tonight.

57: Four hit-ups from the forwards and then a kick from Thurston sees the Cowboys complete their set.

57: Jason Clark down in back play. Looks to have taken a head knock.

58: Jason Clark very unsteady on his feet as he leaves the field. Highly doubtful he will be back.

58: UNFORCED ERROR SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Glenn Stewart makes an unforced error.
The make shift five-eighth knocks on early in the tackle count- giving the Cowboys great field position again.

59: Lovely kick from Thurston on the last tackle forces a drop out.

60: Big drop out from Inglis, but an even bigger tackle from Burgess as Asiata brings back the drop out.

60: Cowboys 10m out. 2 tackles left in the set.

61: Thurston was tackled on the 5th tackle - meaning Coote had to kick on the last and it was easily defused by the Rabbits.

61: Rabbitohs on the march up field.

62: Keary with the last tackle kick is taken by Coote - just!

62: Rabbitohs seem to have lifted their energy levels the last few minutes. Momentum starting to swing.

63: Cowboys complete their set.

63: Rabbitohs earn a penatly for a second tackle on the back on a great Inglis run.

63: Rabbitohs work it over the Cowobys 30m line

64: Knock-on Rabbitohs. The attacking raid comes to a disappointing end.

64: Cowboys finish their set with a mid-field bomb but it is safely defused by Reddy.

65: 15 minutes remain.

65: Coote cleans up the Keary kick and he is hit high by Stewart. Penalty Cowboys.

65: Thurston finds touch just short of halfway.

67: Tamou works it over the Rabbits 40m line on the 3rd tackle.

67: Winterstein tackled on the 10m line. 2 tackles remain in the set.

67: Last tackle kick from Thurston is too big and earns the Rabbits a 20m restart.

67: News from the Rabbits dressing shed confirms Jason Clark won't be back tonight. Rabbits down to 16 players.

68: Barnstorming run up the middle from Burgess.

68: Some frantic defence inside their own 30m zone from the Cowboys

68: Cowboys survive as Coote cleans up the last play kick.

70: Cowboys complete there set. 10 minutes remain.

70: Big set from the Rabbitohs ends deep in Cowboy territory. They are starting to surge towards the finish line.

70: Cowboys work it over 40m line through Tamau. Last tackle coming up.

70: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Johnathan Thurston. Kick to come.
Cowboys run it on the last through Michael Morgan and he slices straight through. Thurston backs up on the inside and grabs his second 4 pointer of the night.

72: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
Thurston adds the extras. Its the Cowboys to lose from here.

73: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Jake Granville. Kick to come.
That'll seal if for the Cowboys. Granville slices through on the 3rd tackle after the kick-off, beats Inglis and scores near the posts.

74: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
The halfback adds the extras. 26 unanswered points for the Cowboys in the second half! Wow.

76: UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Lachlan Coote makes an unforced error.
The fullback throws a forward pass late in the tackle count.

77: Rabbitohs work it in the Cowboys half.

77: Rabbithos finally showing some of the attacking flair they possess.

77: POSSIBLE TRY - Millard goes over for the Rabbits. Referee sends it up stairs to check grounding.

77: NO TRY. Knock-on. Cowboys 20 restart.

78: Cowboys just shutting the game down now. Completed sets is all they are looking for.

78: Another great 5th tackle kick from Thurston nearly sees O'Neill score in the corner but it just goes dead. 20m restart for the Cowboys.

79: Penalty to Rabbitohs for a strip against Taumalolo.

80: Inside the final minute the Rabbits look for a consolation try.

YOUR SAY | Not looking good for the Bunnies with the loss of Adam Reynolds to injury - is their season falling apart without him?

80: A scrappy end to the game as both teams throw the ball around but the full time siren sounds and the Cowboys take the 2 points.

80: Full-time here at ANZ Stadium with the Cowboys running out convincing winners over the Rabbitohs, 30-12. The Rabbitohs led at halftime, but the second half was all the Cowboys as they scored 26 unanswered points. The home side lost Jason Clark mid-way through the second half. Thurston was once again instrumental in the Cowboys win. A couple of questionable decisions from the referees demand further explanation from the NRL and we should see further discussion over the coming days over the obstruction rule. All in all, a high quality game of rugby league to finish out round 6. Thanks for joining us - stay tuned for the match report, and join us on our forums for more Rugby League discussion about the match and THAT decision!