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Warriors v North Queensland Cowboys Friday 6:00pm at Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe / Kabi Kabi

Warriors tackle Cowboys in a top-eight clash few saw coming

An upbeat Warriors will be shooting for three on the bounce when they host a wounded Cowboys in Friday's early opener at Redcliffe.

Coming off a comfortable win over the Broncos, another at their home away from home would see the seventh placed Kiwis striking at better than 50 per cent after five rounds.

And while the fifth ranked Cowboys are also on two wins, their coach simply wants more respect from the referees.

Basking behind a pack that had just rolled Brisbane, Nathan Brown was all smiles last Saturday afternoon, while just a few hours later in Townsville, Todd Payten had the look of a man who'd just discovered his car propped up on bricks.

Truth is, given a choice, the ex-Warriors coach probably would have predicted the crime instead of a rampant Roosters pasting his depleted side, who fort gamely with a man down on a rare three separate occasions.

Now as they prepare to head south to Brisbane, there's little doubt North Queensland will still be hot under the collar.

Not that Addin Fonua-Blake and Matt Lodge will be concerned. The Warriors bookends combined to blow away the Broncos with almost 400 run metres.

But in the thunderous charges of Jason Taumalolo, the Cowboys' resistance packs punch, while for up and comer Jeremiah Nanai, it's another opportunity for a big scalp.

In recent times, little has separated these sides in high scoring contests with the spoils shared two apiece since 2019.

Whether the points flow this time is yet to be seen. Brown has made a point of scaling back his side's attack until halves Chanel Harris-Tavita and Shaun Johnson settle as a combination.

But it's the presence of roaming fullback Reece Walsh that could prove the point of difference. With the Cowboys missing livewire equivalent Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow through injury, it means veteran recruit Chad Townsend will need to be at his organising best.

For the Warriors, another victory will soften the blow of having to face both the Roosters and Storm away in the weeks that follow.

While for North Queensland, with games to come against Canberra and the Gold Coast, a win this week could be the start of a mini resurgence.

Last meeting: Round 12 2021 - Cowboys 29 Warriors 28

Who to watch: If there's such a thing as a certainty in the NRL, then it's Kyle Feldt finding his way across the stripe against the Warriors. 12 tries in nine games going back to 2014 says it all. In a career that has already yielded 105 tries, the strapping winger has only been kept scoreless by the Kiwis in two games.

Returning to the Warriors after three seasons at the Sharks, Shaun Johnson showed the Broncos he's far from a spent force to set up his side's opening try.

Even against Payten's improved defensive structures, the New Zealander's ability to commit defenders and create space is a major reason why he has finished on the winning side in his past six outings against the Cowboys.

The favourite: No stingy odds here, this one is a genuine flip of the coin, although respected outlets have the Cowboys as the narrowest of favourites.

My tip: North Queensland are yet to lose two on the trot this season. It's proof that Payten's calculated, yet harrowing, post loss stage act has merit. And even without the Hammer, look for Scott Drinkwater to make the most of his first opportunity in the No.1 this season. Cowboys by 2.

1. Reece Walsh 2. Edward Kosi 3. Jesse Arthars 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Shaun Johnson 20. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Matt Lodge 11. Euan Aitken 12. Bayley Sironen 13. Josh Curran 8. Bunty Afoa 14. Kodi Nikorima 16. Aaron Pene 17. Jack Murchie 15. Eliesa Katoa

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 16. Reuben Cotter 11. Tom Gilbert 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo 10. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 14. Jake Granville 15. Heilum Luki 17. Griffin Neame 19. Brendan Elliot

Referees: Todd Smith; Sideline Officials: Kasey Badger, Michael Wise; Video Referees: Matt Noyen;