Controversial halfback Robert Lui’s NRL return was sweet but short on Saturday night as his North Queensland Cowboys took out three weeks of frustration on hapless Penrith.
Halfback Lui, back in first grade after a suspension in response to a domestic violence charge, scored the Cowboys’ fourth try in a 30-0 flogging of the Panthers at 1300SMILES Stadium.
But not long afterwards the 23-year-old suffered ankle ligament damage, was forced off and unable to return.
He is likely to be sidelined for at least a fortnight.
Lui’s departure marked a slowing of the scoring deluge; Neil Henry’s side was averaging better than a point a minute at the time he crossed for his try.
The 22-0 lead at 18 minutes became 24-0 right on halftime and 30-0 when centre Kane Linnett posted his second try a minute into the second half.
But the game became bogged down after that.
Earlier, North Queensland winger Kalifa Fai-Fai Loa scored after only three minutes, off a Matt Bowen bomb, and Linnett got his first three minutes later.
That touchdown would have been disallowed under the previous interpretation of the obstruction rule as Cowboys forward Tariq Sims appeared to make contact with a defender while running a decoy.
Under the new interpretation, where discretion is used in the video box, the green light came up.
Further tries to winger Antonio Winterstein and Lui left little doubt that the Cowboys would end a three-match losing streak after losses to Melbourne, Newcastle and the Warriors.
“It’s great to get the win. We just had to hold the ball. Completions in the first few weeks have been terrible,” said Cowboys captain Johnathan Thurston.
“We were able to build some pressure up the middle and build on that.”
Penrith captain Kevin Kingston said his team were blown off the park.
“That first half was just shocking,” he said.
“The Cowboys are always good at home, we know that. But we are shellshocked.”
Penrith second rower Clint Newton booked for a high tackle on North Queensland hooker Anthony Mitchell in the 61st minute in front of 12,431 fans.
