Cowboys lamp Leeds 38-4

North Queensland saw off a tough first half to run over the top of Leeds in the second half and win the World Club Challenge 38-4.

It was fast and furious in the first 40 minutes. Leeds were up for the battle and matched North Queensland in attack and defence.

Ball-handling let the Rhinos down at times, but they scrambled well and matched the NRL premiers early.

The first try of the game came through the familiar combination of Jake Granville, Jonathan Thurston and Michael Morgan.

But the floodgates didn’t open and Leeds hit back through Adam Cuthbertson and Rob Burrow.

Cuthbertson offloaed perfectly at the line and Burrow dived over. Jordan Lilley couldn’t covertt but it was all tied up.

There were half-breaks aplenty but neither team couldn’t finish an opportunity. The intensity in this match was high, unlike the first two World Club Series games.

At half-time it was still 4-4 after Leeds showed real grit to keep the Cowboys out, after they had repeat sets on their line.

But a crucial error just after the break gifted North Queesnland an easy try.

The Cowboys posted another soon after, and the Rhinos began to fall apart.

Tries flowed in to Thurston, Justin O’Neill, Kyle Felvt and Lachlan Coote. Leeds were out on their feet after a brutal first 40.

The game opened up and North Queensland controlled proceedings expertly.

Just before full-time the match erupted when James Tamou slapped Keith Galloway. Mitch Garbutt dropped Tamou with a punch in response and both he and Tamou were given their marching orders.

It mattered little as the game was long gone, the Cowboys adding to a terrble weekend for Super League. The NRL finishing the 2016 World Club Series 3-0.