Confusion as Cowboys center Valentine Holmes appears to convert a late first-half effort during the Warriors clash – only to miss him NARROWLY…here’s why
- Cowboys ‘goal’ before the break was reversed
- Warriors missed an easy shot to win the game
- Fans and commentators were left confused
Footy fans were confused after bizarre scenes at Mt Smart Stadium as the Warriors beat the North Queensland Cowboys 22-14 in wild conditions on Saturday.
Wild winds lashed the New Zealand venue with the goalposts to one side, making it nearly impossible to push through a goal.
Late in the first half, North Queensland centre-back Valentine Holmes appears to have converted a rare attempt by teammate Reuben Cotter – only to be waved off by the linesmen.
Fox League was not good initially, with commentator Andrew Voss stating that the score was 10-10 leading up to halftime.
The cowboys official Twitter page posted online that Holmes’ kick was successful – with the Warriors who declare otherwise.
“I swear he got that kick. What the hell? replied one Cowboys fan, while another said ‘was it converted or not? Very confused.’
Valentine Holmes (pictured) in central North Queensland appears to have converted a rare attempt by teammate Reuben Cotter – only to be waved off by the linesmen in their clash with the Warriors
The conversion appeared successful – but on closer inspection Val Holmes’ kick fell just short of the posts
A third said: ‘I thought so [kick] went on but watched replay and it was waved off by officials.”
Closer inspection revealed that Holmes’ effort fell short of the goalposts, with the wind in Auckland notoriously strong.
When the two sides switched sides in the second half, it was the Warriors’ turn to try to kick the win into the teeth and Shaun Johnson missed one he normally passed any day of the week.
That led Voss to declare, “It’s like the Bermuda Triangle on that side.”
The wind almost affected the game as well, with Johnson missing a conversion to push the lead to eight, again into the wind.
But a brain blast from Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater meant the Warriors got the ball straight back and Johnson made no mistake on his second try.
The Warriors’ Shaun Johnson celebrates victory after kicking the late penalty to prevent North Queensland from making a late comeback
In a see-saw game, the Warriors took an early 14-8 lead in the second half, but saw Todd Payten’s men tie the game just before the hour mark when Holmes converted his own four-pointer.
Veteran Dylan Walker won it for the vastly improved hosts with a smart individual effort, with the Warriors now entrenched in the top eight after their 22-14 win.
They also win many admirers from NRL fans for their tenacity and team unity.