The New Zealand Warriors held off a North Queensland outfit who came home with a wet sail in Magic Round.
After the Warriors led by 16 points at the half, the Cowboys clawed their way back to within four points of Andrew Webster's men.
In the end, it was a desperate try-saving tackle by Luke Metcalf on Murray Taulagi that helped secure the win and garnered the most praise from Webster.
"We’re more proud of that tackle than anything else he did all night," he said.
"Halfback’s aren’t renowned for that, but good ones are."
LATEST NRL TEAM NEWS: Broncos | Bulldogs | Cowboys | Dolphins | Dragons | Eels | Knights | Panthers | Rabbitohs | Raiders | Roosters | Sea Eagles | Sharks | Storm | Tigers | Titans | Warriors
Metcalf's tackle epitomised a Warriors side who are starting to build their own identity. Captain Mitch Barnett highlighted that evolution in his post-game comments.
"Our DNA is starting to show," he said.
"I still don’t think we’re where our ceiling is, which is a positive."
Despite taking plenty of upside from the outing, it was by no means a perfect performance for the team.
"I think there’s plenty of learning from that second half," said Webster.
MORE: New Zealand Warriors 2025 NRL draw, bye schedule and results
"I think it’s a really good opportunity to learn why we win, instead of having to get a loss to do it,"
"I was proud of the boys we’ve got."
The win reinforces the Warriors position in the top-four on the premiership ladder. More than that, it was a statement to the competition that this is a different New Zealand side from seasons past, who may have let a win like that slip through the cracks.
MORE: 'Instinctive' Fletcher Sharpe celebrates 21st with hat-trick in Magic Round
Webster admitted that whilst he was proud of his team's effort, the result caused him significant stress from up in the coaches box.
"[My] emotions are that I may need a heart transplant, that’s for sure," he said.