The New Zealand Warriors have showed how much they are a different team in 2023 with a 22-14 win over the North Queensland Cowboys despite a performance riddled with errors.
It was hardly a performance that either side could put up in their hall of fame as both sides were error ridden in windy conditions in Auckland. The Warriors opened the scoring first after just three minutes when Addin Fonua-Blake charged at the middle defenders of the Cowboys and fought his way to the line.
The Cowboys hit back after some ill-discipline from the home side continued to give the North Queenslanders a piggyback up the other end and they took advantage with Murray Taulagi scoring in the corner.
Despite continued errors, the Warriors somehow weren't punished for their indiscretions with the ball when Ed Kosi scored in the corner after some good work and a nervous wait with the bunker checking a potential Dylan Walker knock on earlier in the play.
The Cowboys had a try disallowed when Murray Taulagi went into touch but they were able to get on the board just shy of half time when Reuben Cotter strolled through after some poor defence from Shaun Johnson opened up a gap. The conversion attempt from Val Holmes was buffeted more than a plane trying to land in high winds and dropped short meaning the Warriors somehow lead by 2.
If both teams wanted to put errors away in the second half then they probably needed to find a better cupboard because they were back in a big way. The Warriors couldn't keep a hold of the ball but it didn't seem to hurt them as the Cowboys directionless attack couldn't penetrate the Kiwi defence and the Warriors went up the other end to score when Josh Curran went over with ease.
The North Queenslanders were able to level the scores just shy of the hour mark when Scott Drinkwater created something out of nothing when the play looked directionless he saw Val Holmes with the potential of getting into space and put boot to ball and with a perfect bounce, Holmes got over to score.
Luck was on the Warriors side for their next try when a ricochet favoured the Warriors and Shaun Johnson was able to put Dylan Walker over for a try. The Warriors got two chances to put the score beyond a converted try when Shaun Johnson got two shots at penalty goal, the first he missed but the second he kicked to put the score out to the match winning 22-14.
Next weekend, the Warriors get a long turnaround with their traditional ANZAC Day clash against the Storm in Melbourne meanwhile the Cowboys play host to the Knights back in Townsville.