The Warriors have once again delivered a tough performance to down a struggling Cowboys outfit 22-14 at Mt Smart Stadium.

Andrew Webster’s side flew out of the blocks after a smart break from returning winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.

Tohu Harris found his barnstorming prop Addin Fonua-Blake on the inside to score before the Cowboys wrestled back momentum to score through Murray Taulagi.

Edward Kosi was the next to score after a barnstorming run from Warriors centre Marcelo Montoya, scoring with their backs to the wall.

On the stroke of halftime Reuben Cotter charged his way over as the score sat 10-8 going into the break.

Warriors backrower Josh Curran was the next to cross the white line from a smart Shaun Johnson short ball.

Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Scott Drinkwater orchestrated a try to level the score in a shock turn of events.

He spotted Valentine Holmes in space and found his gun centre with a smart grubber.

Seven minutes later, off-season recruit Dylan Walker stood tall, bursting his way over the line after a lucky Shaun Johnson deflection.

The ball bounced straight back to the gun halfback who hit Walker in space on the left-side of the field to score.

From then on it was a back and forth contest, and after a seemingly simple penalty goal was missed, Drinkwater put the 20-metre drop out flying over the sideline.

Johnson didn’t miss twice and gave his side an eight-point buffer with seconds remaining on the clock and secure a big win.

WARRIORS ‘CRACKED THE CODE’

The Warriors have once again shown why they are a different beast in 2023, displaying toughness and grit missing in years gone by.

New Zealand conceded 700 points in 2022, the most of any team and 21 more than the Tigers in second place.

Incoming coach Andrew Webster had a big job on his hands, but looks to have shifted the attitudes of the Warriors outfit for the better and in their first six games, they had only conceded 122 points.

Against the Cowboys, New Zealand defended multiple sets on their own tryline and didn’t do themselves any favours.

The Warriors made 13 errors and completed at only 76 per cent, but still got the job done in defence and conceded only 14 points at Mt Smart Stadium.

Commentator Andrew Voss believes Webster has “cracked the da Vinci code” which could see the Warriors return to finals football with five wins after seven rounds.

“I know we are only seven rounds into the season but in some ways what we have seen form the Warriors, coach Webster has cracked the Davinci code,” Voss said.

“He has introduced resilience to the Warriors side. They were on their heels there for eight to 10 minutes and had errors coming out of their own half and set restarts.

“Then they get a chance and they are unflappable. They get straight back into their own plan of attack. And we have seen it game after game after game this year.

“Resilience, what a valuable commodity.”

WALKER, THE UNHERALD HERO

Dylan Walker’s arrival in New Zealand was largely overshadowed by the recruitment of Marata Niukore, Mitch Barnett and the return of Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.

The 28-year-old was strictly a utility during his final years at the Sea Eagles and he looked set to fill the No.14 jersey for the Warriors.

But instead, the former NSW representative has become one of Andrew Webster’s most reliable players, slotting into multiples positions and starting in the No.6 jersey against the Cowboys.

Walker was electric and made multiple defensive plays when his side needed it most, scoring the crucial try and earning hefty praise from Fox League’s commentators.

“What a game he’s had too Walker, he scores the try. It was a beautiful play from Johnson, great awareness... but here Walker backs himself,” Steve Roach said.

“He’s cleaned up so much at the back of the field with his defence.”

Voss went as far to say he is a better player now than when he earned his representative stripes, playing for Australia and the Blues in 2014 and 2016 respectively.

“He’s been magnificent today Walker. Going years back he got criticised, he got a bench role in Origin, he’s played for Australia... but his contribution these days and all-round game is better now than what got him to representative honours,” Voss said.

“We were talking earlier about his utility value playing all over the shop, slots in next to Shaun Johnson and has near-on been their best player,” Roach said.

COWBOYS LOOK COOKED

There’s a very real chance the Cowboys will finish the round in 16th place after Todd Payten’s side failed to show anything in attack despite dominating possession and territory for much of Saturday’s contest.

This is a team that surprised many in 2022 by playing with an attacking freedom that was a joy to watch, but they’ve become pedestrian this season with some worrying signs emerging across the ditch.

North Queensland had 55 tackles inside the attacking 20 metre zone compared to just 24 for the Warriors, yet they could only muster three tries with one of those coming from a splendid Scott Drinkwater grubber.

They do have some players missing but their spine is intact and should be a lot more creative than what we saw on Saturday.

The loss leaves them on four competition points and miles behind where they were last year, with the top four seemingly out of reach if they can’t turn it around.

Meanwhile, Todd Payten’s decision to flip his forward pack and start Jake Granville in the front row could come back to haunt the head coach.

The pint-sized utility ran for just 55 metres and was an easy target for the home side’s big men, with Addin Fonua-Blake able to muscle his way over for the opening try.

Payten was also heavily criticised for underplaying Jason Taumalolo a couple of years ago, with the coach adamant that preservation now was the key to ensuring his marquee man would see out his mega deal.

The powerhouse lock is averaging just over 50 minutes per game and he was nowhere to be seen on Saturday, running for just 129 metres on a day he needed to be close to 200.