The Cowboys conceded the first try by playing without their Origin stars, but from there it was a unique transit as they got a 32-6 victory over the Titans.
A blitz of three tries in eight minutes in the first half broke the spirit of the Titans who enjoyed a 61 percent possession in the first 20 minutes.
MATCH CENTER: Titans vs Cowboys scores, video, statistics
To make matters worse, the Gold Coast lost young defender Jayden Campbell to a hamstring injury in the second half.
North Queensland could only repel an early attack as the Titans crashed in the 15th minute.
But from there it was all the Cowboys who scored 32 unanswered points thanks to the tries of Heilum Luki, Murray Taulagi, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Reece Robson and Peta Hiku.
Here are three of the main results of the match.
Cowboys’ Scott Drinkwater takes a break. Getty Images Source: Getty Images
COWBOYS DEFENSE TAKES CARE AGAIN
The Cowboys ’sensational defensive record of the second half continued as the North Queensland men secured their ninth win of the season.
They did not concede a point in the first 20 minutes of the second half for eight games in a row, and allowed a total of 10 points in that period.
This is the seventh time this season that the Cowboys have kept their opponents at zero in the second half.
“Another goalless second against the Cowboys, this defensive record, 42 points for the season and 10 points from the last eight weeks, that’s unheard of,” Andrew Voss told Fox League.
Eight of the Cowboys’ nine wins have been by 20 points or more, a new season record for the club.
“The convincing win and the most definitive aspect of the game I think was the Cowboys defense,” Matty Johns said.
“They absorbed a lot of threats from the Titans and punched them.”
This is the sixth time this season the Cowboys have awarded individual figures.
“The Titans started really fast, but the early fight defense was absolutely outstanding for the Cowboys,” Gorden Tallis said.
“With six players who are part of Queensland, this is a great performance from them.
THE BEST COMING FROM LUKI
NRL’s great Mick Ennis believes Cowboys star Heilum Luki will become one of the best setbacks in the competition.
Luki enjoyed another stellar game, scoring his team’s first try thanks to a stormy run while also making 29 tackles.
The 21-year-old has played 25 NRL games since making his debut last season and has formed a formidable second-tier partnership with Jeremiah Nanai.
Nanai lost the match due to his Maroons selection, but Luki did more than deliver in his absence.
“I really think he will be one of the best relegators in the competition in the next few years, he and Nanai are great players,” Ennis said.
“He has so much athleticism and power, but as you can see there, he is not a one-trick pony, he knows the way to the test line, he knows how to position his body, he knows how to change his angles.
“He also knows what his halves are doing with his foot and what space they are trying to create for him. He is a wonderful player.”
Hamiso Hammer! Young Cowboy Stars | 00:39
THE TITANS LOSE MORE THAN LEAVING
Titans winger Jayden Campbell left the game in the 59th minute due to a suspected hamstring injury.
“He grabbed his hammy and the coach went straight to him,” Andrew Voss told Fox League.
“Tonight she leads the race meters (134m) and Hammy went when she fell and looked to force her to leave the line.
“It’s not good at all, he found out right away.”
The Titans have lost eight of their last nine games and Shane Flanagan stressed in the second half that they can’t afford to lose Campbell for an extended period.
“It was a bad end for the set and it just shows the difference Jayden Campbell makes in this football team,” Flanagan said.
“Hey you need it desperately because it’s the X factor of the team to score points.”
The Gold Coast have lost their last three defeats and two of the three biggest defeats this season have been against the Cowboys.
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