Shaun Johnson prepares to make a kick in the Warriors round one match against the Dragons. Photo: Photosport
The Warriors snapped a record 13-match losing streak in Australia with a comprehensive 26-12 defeat of the Cowboys at Queensland Country Bank Stadium last night.
Led by star halfback Shaun Johnson, the Warriors overcame an early deficit to pile on five tries to two to secure their first win outside New Zealand since downing Canberra 21-20 at Redcliffe in Round 8 last season.
Johnson combined with five-eighth Te Maire Martin to have a hand in three of his side's tries as the Warriors capitalised on a dominant forward performance built of the back of a high completion rate.
Rookie Cowboys fullback Tom Chester put the home side ahead with his first NRL try in just the fourth minute but the Warriors hit back almost immediately through hooker Wayde Egan.
Chester then turned provider for the next North Queensland try after tapping back a Chad Townsend kick into the arms of hooker Reece Robson, who strolled over to score in the 14th minute.
However, it was a one-sided affair from then on as the Warriors produced a near faultless performance with the ball - boasting a 90 percent completion rate until midway through the second half.
Fiji winger Marcelo Montoya scored the first of his two tries in the 28th minute before interchange forward Jazz Tevaga put the Warriors ahead for the first time in the match when he crossed six minutes before half-time.
Leading 16-12 at the interval, the Warriors did not concede a point in the second half, while wingers Ed Kosi and Montoya scored in the 48th and 56th minutes to provide a healthy buffer for Andrew Webster's men.
Warriors coach Andrew Webster said he wanted to see what his forward pack could do if they had more than 50 percent of the ball.
"We just wanted to see how dominant they could be and tonight we got to see that. I was really happy for them, they worked hard, they were fast over the advantage line and I was super impressed.
"The thing I was also impressed with our forwards was just how organised they looked with the ball, passing the ball to each other, knowing their role and re-loading down the other end," Webster said.
Warriors hooker Wayde Egan is in doubt for the clash with the Bulldogs after reeling out of an attempted tackle on Jason Taumalolo in the 68th minute. Egan was assisted from the field.