‘Can’t get those wrong’: Cowboys forward in nervous wait after big loss

Cowboys forward Heilum Luki has a nervous wait ahead of him after being placed on report during his side’s 36-16 loss to the Dolphins.

Luki copped the punishment in the 23rd minute when he attempted to put kick pressure on half Brad Schneider.

The second-rower raced from dummy half and hit Schneider high, with the crowd blowing up.

Referee Grant Atkins allowed play to continue as an offside Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow won the kick contest.

That break in play from offside led to Luki being penalised for the high contact and ultimately placed on report.

“A little bit high, you can’t get those wrong,” Johnathan Thurston said on Nine.

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Cameron Smith added: “You’ve got to be so careful. When you’re coming out to put pressure on kickers, the eyes of the referee, that’s all they’re looking at, the contact being made on the kickers.”

At the time, the Cowboys were leading 10-0 after tries to Tom Dearden and Jeramiah Nanai.

By half-time, the Dolphins had pushed to a 12-10 lead with Jamayne Isaako and Felise Kafusi going over.

Following the break, Isaako grabbed a double before Tom Gilbert scored too.

North Queensland didn’t hit back until the 70th minute when Scott Drinkwater grabbed a four-pointer.

However, late tries for Max Plath and Connelly Lemuelu ensured Dolphins fans would go home satisfied.

Post-match, Cowboys coach Todd Payten admitted a plenty of errors from his side were “self-inflicted”.

“Really disappointing because we missed a golden opportunity at 10-0,” he said.

“It’s really frustrating. It was only 12-10 at half-time so we were still right in the game.

“But the first 10 minutes after half-time they had seven sets to our three. We had a yardage error coming out of our end, another penalty, and you get what you deserve.”

The Cowboys will play the Broncos next, with the latter attempting a late surge towards the top eight.

Payten was in a playful mood when Dearden was being asked about playing his old team.

“Everyone hates the Broncos,” the Cowboys coach smiled.

“I’ll answer that for him. Everyone hates the Broncos, everyone north of the city.”

Dearden laughed and added “hate the Broncos, so I’m looking forward to playing against them.”