Join today and you can easily save your favourite articles, join in the conversation and comment, plus select which news your want direct to your inbox.
Join today and you can easily save your favourite articles, join in the conversation and comment, plus select which news your want direct to your inbox.
South Sydney have copped a drubbing by North Queensland, and to add injury to insult, a dazed Greg Inglis was forced to leave the field after copping a high shot in the Rabbitohs' 44-18 NRL loss in Townsville.
The Sharks came into the game hoping to back up their first ever Premiership trophy with some more silverware, but it was the Wigan Warriors that came out stronger.
High shot to Greg Inglis adds to Rabbitohs' woes as they suffer humiliation at the hands of Cowboys.
Cowboys co-captain Matt Scott was placed on report for the 66th-minute tackle, and it capped a nightmare Friday night for Souths, who slumped to their second straight loss despite the return of Adam Reynolds.
Reynolds had hoped to use his comeback from a broken jaw as a NSW Origin audition, lining up against the Cowboys' Maroons playmaker Johnathan Thurston.
Playing like premiers: The Cowboys celebrate one of many tries against Souths. Photo: Ian Hitchcock
But he came off second best - as most do - against the Cowboys co-captain, who became just the second person to notch 1000 points at a venue in Australian rugby league history.
By the end of the eight tries-to-three romp, Thurston had 1007 points at 1300SMILES Stadium, joining Newcastle's Immortal Andrew Johns in the elite club.
Advertisement
Souths (3-4 record) became yet more roadkill in Townsville. North Queensland (5-2) have now won 13 of their past 15 home games and outscored visiting sides 179-32 in the past five games in the north.
Coincidentally, South Sydney were the last team to beat North Queensland in Townsville, in round 23 in 2015.
Struggling: Sam Burgess of the Rabbitohs is tackled by Gavin Cooper and Jake Granville. Photo: Ian Hitchcock
Thurston helped North Queensland lead 18-6 at halftime when he scored off his own grubber in the 15th minute and kicked three conversions.
He brought up his milestone with the third conversion thanks to a slice of luck: the kick ricocheted off the post but still fell over the crossbar to register point No.1001.
On form again: Johnathan Thurston of the Cowboys. Photo: Ian Hitchcock
The Cowboys concede their first points in three home games when Reynolds and Luke Keary combined to set up barnstorming backrower Chris Grevsmuhl, locking up the scores at 6-6 in the ninth minute.
Then it was all one-way traffic.
AAP
Save articles for later.
Subscribe for unlimited access to news. Login to save articles.
Return to the homepage by clicking on the site logo.