North Queensland Cowboys stun Dolphins 43-18 to set early NRL pace
North Queensland’s Jeremiah Nanai takes on the Dolphins defence at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday. Photo: Getty
North Queensland has blown away the Dolphins with an array of scintillating tries in a 43-18 win to sit on top of the NRL ladder after the completion of round one.
The Dolphins had a fairytale start to NRL life at Suncorp Stadium last year with a win for the ages over Sydney Roosters, but 32,477 fans were silenced on this occasion by a rampant Cowboys outfit.
North Queensland scored five first-half tries to lead 31-12 at the break in a display of power, speed and skill.
It was exactly the fast start coach Todd Payten had called for after the Cowboys missed last year’s finals.
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“We played some nice footy to begin with and put some points on the board,” Payten said.
“I’m just happy to sit in the sheds with the boys after a long pre-season and enjoy the hard work we have put in. It’s only round one. It”s a marathon, not a sprint, so it is important that we capitalise on this.”
The Dolphins’ defence on the edges was ragged and the visitors made them pay.
Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater and centre Valentine Holmes were constant threats.
Holmes had the measure of his opposite number Herbie Farnworth, who made little impact on his NRL debut for the hosts.
The Dolphins suffered an injury blow when second-rower Connelly Lemuelu left the field just before halftime with a knee injury.
New Cowboys centre Zac Laybutt was outstanding.
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The Papua New Guinea international sliced through feeble defence to open the scoring in the second minute and trampled Dolphins half Sean O’Sullivan to set up winger Kyle Feldt under the posts after half an hour.
Holmes was the provider for a try to winger Murray Taulagi, while back-rower Jeremiah Nanai sliced through some naive Dolphins edge defence.
New Dolphins signing Thomas Flegler and fellow prop Josh Kerr crashed over with determined runs before the break but it was hardly enough.
The second half started as badly as the first for the hosts.
In one lazy piece of play, fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow kicked the ball rather than picking it up, and watched it go straight to Cowboys second-rower Heilum Luki, who raced away to score.
Tabuai-Fidow told AAP before the match he had been watching Drinkwater highlight reels for tips on how to improve his ball playing.
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Drinkwater outpointed his opposite number on this occasion despite Tabuai-Fidow showing his brilliance to set up a late consolation try for winger Jack Bostock.
Laybutt was awarded a late penalty try to cap a memorable match.
It was an afternoon to forget for the Dolphins, who lacked penetration and energy.
Coach Wayne Bennett said it was a disappointing display but not one his side couldn’t bounce back from.
“They found us out on fifth and last plays, not too many other areas,” Bennett said.
“I’ve got a good group of guys that work really hard.
“We had a bad day. We’ve got 23 games to go.
“If we put it behind us quickly we’ll be a lot better off than if we drag it out.
“We’ll keep it stable and not overreact.”
-AAP
