NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS 38 NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS 20
TOM SMITH, One NZ Stadium, Christchurch, Sunday

CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD scored four tries as the Warriors knocked over the Cowboys in the first NRL match at the sparkling new One NZ Stadium.

Tickets for rugby league’s maiden appearance at this spectacular domed Christchurch arena sold out way back in January, and local fans were thrilled by Nicoll-Klokstad’s first ever four-try haul.

Jason Taumalolo’s sin-binning for a lifting tackle on Nicoll-Klokstad in the second half ensured the hosts left New Zealand’s South Island with two important competition points.

This is the Warriors’ fifth straight win over the Cowboys and shores up their top-four spot. A pectoral injury to Jackson Ford took some gloss off the victory.

On the Origin front, Warriors skipper Mitch Barnett backed up but Kurt Capewell didn’t, while Reuben Cotter featured for the Cowboys.

Nicoll-Klokstad tallied the first NRL try at this venue on seven minutes, then scored again moments later.

A brilliant Scott Drinkwater pass assisted Braidon Burns’ reply then the fullback squared things up himself.

But Nicoll-Klokstad’s third put the Warriors ahead at the break.

Try number four in the left corner, Taumalolo’s binning and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak’s four-pointer gave the Aucklanders some breathing room.

Burns’ second and a late Jeremiah Nanai consolation try meant North Queensland weren’t blown off the park, but Adam Pompey and Taine Tuaupiki had the locals celebrating a big win.

WARRIORS: 1 Taine Tuaupiki, 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3 Ali Leiataua, 4 Adam Pompey, 5 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7 Te Maire Martin, 10 Jackson Ford, 9 Wayde Egan, 22 Mitch Barnett, 11 Jacob Laban, 12 Marata Niukore, 13 Erin Clark. Subs: 8 Tanner Stowers-Smith, 15 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 16 Demitric Vaimauga, 17 Kayliss Fatialofa (not used), 20 Luke Metcalf (not used), 21 Makaia Tafua

Tries: Nicoll-Klokstad (7, 10, 34, 48), Watene-Zelezniak (55), Pompey (70), Tuaupiki (74); Goals: Pompey 5/7

COWBOYS: 1 Scott Drinkwater, 2 Braidon Burns, 3 Zac Laybutt, 4 Tom Chester, 5 Murray Taulagi, 6 Jaxon Purdue, 7 Jake Clifford, 15 Griffin Neame, 9 Reed Mahoney, 17 Coen Hess, 11 Heilum Luki, 12 Jeremiah Nanai, 13 Reuben Cotter. Subs: 8 Thomas Mikaele, 10 Jason Taumalolo, 14 Soni Luke, 16 Matthew Lodge (not used), 19 Sam McIntyre (not used), 20 John Bateman

Tries: Burns (23, 62), Drinkwater (27), Nanai (77); Goals: Clifford 2/4; Sin bin: Taumalolo (53) – lifting tackle

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 10-0, 10-4, 10-10, 14-10; 20-10, 26-10, 26-16, 32-16, 38-16, 38-20

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Warriors: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad; Cowboys: Scott Drinkwater

Penalty count: 7-6; Half-time: 14-10; Referee: Grant Atkins; Attendance: 25,365