A “dominant” North Queensland Cowboys have defeated Queensland rivals Brisbane in an exciting battle in Townsville to make another statement.
Todd Payten’s team took a 40-26 victory after maintaining just a two-point lead at halftime.
Broncos player Adam Reynolds returned from his last setback due to injury, but rated his performance as “embarrassing”.
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The Kevin Walters Broncos started the scoring after a messy play saw the ball come out for hitter Billy Walters to land it.
But the Maroons winger Murray Taulagi bounced back quickly and hit a Adam Reynolds pass to score an impressive interception.
“Intercepting, Taulagi accepts the gift and we’re all tied to the Queensland derby,” Brenton Speed said.
“A wonderful defensive positioning from Taulagi, both teams are starting to expand their game coming out of their own end,” Corey Parker said.
After half-time, the Cowboys came out shooting with half-mannequin Reece Robson taking control to record a rehearsal assist before young Jeremiah Nanai stole the show.
“Dominating in that second 40 the home team, on track to make the double over the big brother in 2022,” Speed said.
“Jeremiah Nanai, what a goal scorer he is, scores rehearsals for fun,” Parker said.
But the Broncos didn’t end up there with Reynolds inspiring a Red Hill comeback.
Winger Corey Oates flew to a short ball from his midfield defense before Selwyn Cobbo took over.
The young gunman, who went to the side to cover a Te Maire Martin injury, broke the Cowboys ’line, sprinting 60 yards.
He then grabbed the ball and charged, but it wasn’t enough, with the Broncos ceding possession twice with two errors in the final three minutes.
Payten’s team didn’t finish either, scoring from the back of the scrum to rub their dominance in the face of their Queensland rivals.
Fox League’s Cooper Cronk called the clash a “hard-fought affair” and praised his resistance to beating another contestant in the final.
Read below the key points of the Saturday night Queensland derby !!
“EVERGONIC” ADMISSION OF REYNOLDS
After a night off by his high standards, Broncos star Adam Reynolds called his own performance “embarrassing.”
In only his second game since the 10th round, when he battled injuries, missing last week due to a rib problem, the 31-year-old midfielder’s kick-off game was noticeably shut down, finding the Dead ball line from a throw before throwing the ball. in contact from an abandonment of the goal line only moments later.
Reynolds was bitten by his own performance at the post-match press conference.
“I was wrong, it wasn’t good enough, embarrassing by my standards,” Reynolds said.
“Go back to training and work hard and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Then a reporter asked if the Cowboys defense, which clearly targeted Reynolds, played a role in his night.
North Queensland players flooded the veteran game creator every time he had his hands on the ball.
“No,” Reynolds replied.
THE FORM OF DRINKING WATER CONTINUES
Cowboys winger Scott Drinkwater has once again surrendered to the north side of Queensland.
The 25-year-old winger has been in brilliant form after winning the selection at 17 of Todd Payten and Corey Parker of the Fox League was surprised that the former Storm player was down to start the year .
Drinkwater sat behind the wheel Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow as Payten’s second rope winger, but has since seized his opportunity with both hands.
“Drinking water, nice past, what season he’s doing, thinking he wasn’t part of that side in the first rounds and where they came from,” Corey Parker said.
“Scott Drinkwater now has as many test assists as Chad Townsend, and he remembers that Drinkwater only had his chance when Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow fell.”
Drinkwater finished 81 meters running, three breaks, three assists from a line break and three stunning assists in his team’s big win in the Queensland derby.
REYNOLDS EXPLODE to correct call | 00:44
STAGGS FAILURE TO SHOOT
Broncos center Kotoni Staggs has failed to make an impact in the crucial Queensland derby.
Staggs will leave Brad Fittler’s Blues side after a singular appearance in the first game, but appeared for Tonga in the representative round over the weekend.
In that game, the 23-year-old was solid, but didn’t get into the equation against the Cowboys.
Fox League Corey Parker asked Staggs to go get the ball while the Broncos came back late.
“They need a streak of possession, we mentioned what kind of stars will rise, I come back to Kotoni Staggs, almost an hour of football and he touched the ball twice,” Parker said.
“Staggs can find a ball on the right side,” Speed said.
“You have to go get it, it’s so hard to repress, it can create so much momentum,” Parker said.
Staggs finished the night with just 22 yards of four carries, as well as 12 tackles.
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Disaster debut! Cartooned young dog 00:48
SCALING STATISTICS OF NANAI
Jeremiah Nanai continues to add four points in 2022.
The Cowboys ’backrower scores attempts“ for fun ”according to Fox League’s Brenton Speed and statistics show … he definitely does.
The 19-year-old now ranks fifth in the essay standings, surrounded by prolific outside linebackers such as Alex Johnston, Taylan May and Ryan Papenhuyzen.
“Jeremiah Nanai, why wouldn’t you, what a rehearsal scorer he is, scores rehearsals for fun,” Brenton Speed said.
“A lot of stitch testing and a lot of individual brilliance here,” Parker said.
Speed also revealed that Nanai is just one attempt away from matching a club record, and the Barn Storm backrower is ready to get him out of the park.
“12 for Nanai, along with Coen Hess, Gavin Cooper and Glen Morrison, who sit at 13, and plenty of time to add to that,” Speed said.
“It’s amazing to think of a top backrower, when you see Taylan May, Papenhuyzen and Johnston, just a couple ahead,” Parker said.
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