While their attack was far from perfect, Ivan Cleary will be delighted with the defensive effort, especially considering the Cowboys are second half scoring specialists. They have racked up more points after halftime than any other team in the NRL this year.
Aside from the Warriors' four props, who convincingly won the ruck battle, Shaun Johnson impressed with a mature display and Krisnan Inu had some delightful touches.
"We really wanted to bounce back after last week which was disappointing," said Johnson, "especially in front of such a great crowd."
Lance Hohaia scored a trademark try and enjoyed possibly a winning farewell from Mt Smart in his 181st match, third all time behind Stacey Jones and Logan Swann. In front of a season record Mt Smart crowd of 20,082, it felt like a semifinal, with a huge Maori concert party greeting the Cowboys with a haka, before paying a brief tribute to departing coach Cleary.
Since reaching the grand final in 2005, the Cowboys have been notoriously inconsistent - especially on the road - and finished second last in two of the last three seasons. This year they are a different proposition, with a tough, solid forward pack giving Johnathan Thurston and Matt Bowen a much better platform.
The men from North Queensland were the better side in the first 20 minutes, but failed to capitalise. It reflects a season where they have been unable to convert early pressure into points - only two teams have scored fewer points in the first 20 minutes this year After early Cowboys' pressure, a 50m kick return by Krisnan Inu sparked the Warriors into life. Johnson was quickest to react when the Cowboys let a towering James Maloney bomb bounce - the halfback showing great presence of mind to palm the ball instantly to Inu who slid across in the corner in the 13th minute.
The Cowboys responded six minutes later - Thurston and Bowen weaving around decoy runners before he hit winger Kalifa Faifailoa on the chest.
Bill Tupou was drawn in and caught out, coming in off his wing. It is something the Warriors flank players over the years have been guilty of it more than most. Certainly the defence on both edges - and particularly the left hand side - looms as an Achilles heel heading into the finals.
A scorching Maloney break near halfway saw Simon Mannering put Hohaia in beside the posts in the 27th minute. The Warriors then repelled three consecutive sets on their line - though they were fortunate when Maloney was not called for a professional foul as he virtually stood in the Cowboys line and grabbed an intercept to defuse a two-man overlap.
There was more urgency from the home side in the third quarter, as the Cowboys were virtually camped in their own half. The Warriors defence was outstanding; Rapira, Packer and Lillyman were immense while a Ben Matulino shot on Aaron Payne was the biggest hit at Mt Smart since Eric Clapton came to play Layla in 1990.
The Warriors finally broke through in the 62nd minute; Johnson slipping a pinpoint pass to Inu who tiptoed along the sideline and dot down. Maloney kicked impeccably, including two sideline conversions while Brent Tate had a quiet game on his return to Auckland, the Warriors shutting down his trademark runs from dummy half.
Warriors 18 (K. Inu 2, L. Hohaia tries; J. Maloney 3 goals) Cowboys 6 (K. Faifailoa try; J. Thurston goal). Halftime: 12-6
NRL
Warriors 18
Cowboys 6
