North Queensland hit back from last week’s debacle to re-enter the NRL’s top eight with a 30-8 win over Gold Coast, as playmaker Jaxon Purdue turned from villain to hero.
When the Cowboys lost 82-12 to Sydney Roosters in their previous outing in Townsville there were huge doubts they could bounce back from the most points conceded in a premiership match in 91 years.
At Robina, in front of 11,740 fans, the Cowboys got the response coach Todd Payten wanted after he labelled last week the club’s “darkest day”.
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Scott Drinkwater, Jason Taumalolo, Heilum Luki and Purdue – four of their biggest stars – came up with key plays at the right time on Thursday to ensure the rout by the Roosters would not derail their season.
This was a test of character, which the Cowboys passed. It wasn’t pretty, but it was enough to secure their 12th win of the year and move temporarily to seventh on the ladder. One more win may be enough to play finals.
The turning point came in the second half when the Cowboys led 18-8. Purdue had been sin-binned for a professional foul and two minutes after returning he raced 70m from dummy-half to score an individual try for the ages.
Veteran prop Taumalolo set the scene in the fifth minute when he broke a 69-game try drought with a barnstorming charge after a scintillating 40/20 by fullback Drinkwater, his third of the season.
The Cowboys legend’s previous try was week one of the finals series in 2022.
Purdue put his halves partner Jake Clifford through a gaping hole for a 12-0 lead after 13 minutes.
But the visitors didn’t put their foot on the throat and the Titans found a way back into it.
Winger Phil Sami’s 84th try for the club put him one behind Titans all-time record holder Anthony Don, courtesy of a slick Jaylan De Groot pass.
Shocking errors and defence by the Titans all but handed Cowboys second-rower Luki a try on the cusp of halftime.
Sami equalled “The Don” after halftime with his second try of the night after Purdue’s infringement.
The Titans could not make the most of the advantage. After Purdue’s magic, Luki scored his second try of the night to secure a crucial win.
