The Cowboys have hung on for a 24-16 victory over the Rabbitohs in Perth despite a self-described “terrible” opening 40 minutes.
It was a sloppy match that featured 21 errors but North Queensland made the most of their chances and they’ve now won three in a row.
MATCH CENTRE: Rabbitohs v Cowboys scores, stats, video
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“Sometimes you’ve got to win ugly, I’ll take the two points,” Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater said on Fox League.
Souths superstar Latrell Mitchell was playing out of position in the No. 6 jersey and he struggled early before putting Euan Aitken over for the opening try in the 22nd minute.
The Cowboys hit back when winger Murray Taulagi showed his strength to go straight over the top of his opposite number Isaiah Tass and score in the 36th minute.
“That was terrible, we made a lot of errors… we’re really flat out there, not much energy,” Drinkwater told Fox League at halftime.
“It’s good we’re in the lead but we need to come out in the second half with a lot more energy.”
Drinkwater slams ‘terrible’ Cowboys | 00:47
Rabbitohs backrower Jai Arrow crashed over early in the second half before North Queensland second rower Sam McIntyre levelled the scores in the 58th minute.
A double from speedster Jaxon Purdue then put them ahead 22-10 before Dally M Medal leader Jai Gray scored to set up a grandstand finish.
But when Sean Keppie was binned for a high shot on Drinkwater in the 76th minute the Cowboys slotted the two points on offer and iced the game.
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