Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad produced a remarkable four-try performance as the NZ Warriors overcame a lengthy injury list to defeat the North Queensland Cowboys 38-20 at Christchurch’s new Te Kaha Stadium.
The experienced fullback, playing a key role after spending much of the season sidelined with a neck injury, scored a hat-trick before halftime to help his side lead 14-10 at the break before adding a fourth shortly after the restart.
The Warriors had seen an early 10-0 advantage wiped out by Cowboys tries to Braidon Burns and Scott Drinkwater, but Nicoll-Klokstad’s efforts proved decisive. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Adam Pompey and Taine Tuaupiki also crossed as the home side took advantage of Jason Taumalolo’s sin-binning and snapped a two-game losing streak.
However, the victory was tempered by concern for prop Jackson Ford, who left the field with a suspected torn pectoral muscle, adding to the Warriors’ growing injury toll ahead of next week’s clash with the Dolphins in Brisbane.
