Southland Rugby League: Cowboys make round one statement

The Cowboys have knocked over He Tauaa 32-8 and Southland Fiji toppled the Cooks 34-28 in round one of the 2023 Southland District Rugby League club competition.

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The Cowboys have put a marker in the sand to start the 2023 Southland District Rugby League club competition on Saturday.

In sizzling summer conditions at the Cowboys’ new home base at Waverly Park in Invercargill, they bounced out to a 16-8 lead over traditional rivals He Tauaa.

The Cowboys then camped inside He Tauaa’s half during the second 40-minute period and finished 32-8 victors.

Steering the ship, as player/coach, was Korey Pennicott who at 43 still more than matches with the young talent coming through.

“Age doesn’t mean nothing mate, it’s just what you do with it,” Pennicott told The Tribune.

Pennicott said the Cowboys had been bolstered by some new recruits in 2023 which included Micaiah Johnston-Brown, who impressed on Saturday, and Dominic Bradley.

Penicott made special mention of the performance of Dylan Lovett in the season opener.

“After breaking his leg twice, holy hell…It sure is impressive.”

Second rower Adrian Te Aonui was another standout for the Cowboys while Osika Kaufononga still found enough opportunities to showcase his skills for He Tauaa in a beaten team.

While Penicott was pleased with the first-up performance, he saw enough from He Tauaa to suggest they’ll be a real threat in 2023.

In the later game played on Saturday, it was Southland Fiji who toppled the Cooks 34-28 in a tight one at Elles Rd.