As it happened: New Zealand Warriors v North Queensland Cowboys

Ethan Lowe of the Cowboys is tackled by the Warriors defence. Photo / Getty

Follow live updates as the New Zealand Warriors take on the North Queensland Cowboys.

The 11th-placed Warriors head to Townsville needing to win at least five of their remaining seven games to keep their slim playoff hopes alive, following consecutive defeats to Manly and Penrith.

The Warriors have enjoyed just one away victory this season and are looking to overturn a horror record at 1300Smiles Stadium where they have won just one of their last 11 matches against the Cowboys since 2002.

With star halfback Shaun Johnson likely to miss at least a month of football with a knee injury, it will take a dramatic improvement for the Warriors to find the consistency required to book their first finals appearance since 2011.