Warriors’ finals hopes crumble
The Warriors’ finals chances are hanging by a thread as they were smashed 34-6 by the Cowboys in Townsville last night.
Having lost to the Rabbitohs last weekend, the Warriors couldn’t afford to drop this game against the reigning Premiers, but they they were never in this contest and it looks like they’ll be keeping their tag as a team that fades at the end of seasons, for at least another year.
The Cowboys fed off Warriors mistakes made inside their own half and when they attacked the Warriors’ left edge or charged up the middle, they were often rewarded.
The loss mean the Warriors need to win their final two games, against the Tigers and Eels and hope the Titans lose both of their remaining games, against the Panthers and Cowboys.
It’s possible the Titans could lose those fixtures, but there needs to be a big turnaround for the Warriors. Their prospects were dealt a blow before the game, with the centre Solomone Kata ruled out from a hamstring injury. He was replaced by fringe player Matt Allwood and another change was Ata Hingano coming onto the bench and making his debut, for Jazz Tevaga.
The fact that Allwood and Hingano were both chosen ahead of Tuimoala Lolohea, indicates how far the 21-year-old has fallen as a selection option.
The Warriors had a penalty 30 metres out in the fifth minute, but turned down the kick and the gamble didn’t pay off as the Cowboys’ defence held firm.
Jason Taumalolo almost scored in the eighth minute, breaking through a few tackles, but the Kiwis backrower knocked the ball on as he went to ground it over the goal line.
But a minute later they were in for a try as Kyle Feldt was in open space to gather a Michael Morgan grubber.
Feldt bagged his minutes later as capitalised from a handling error.
Michael Morgan added the sixth and final try in the 69th minute to pile more misery on a desolate looking Warriors side. second try five the Cowboys Jacob Lillyman