NRL: Cowboys score rare win over Broncos

Matt Bowen of the Cowboys celebrates with team mates during the round one NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the North Queensland Cowboys. Photo / Getty Images

Life as Broncos coach got a little bit harder for Anthony Griffin after North Queensland's breakthrough 16-14 win in their NRL season-opener at a rain-soaked Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

Griffin had put on a brave face after his rapid elevation following Ivan Henjak's shock sacking weeks ahead of the season kick-off amid speculation Brisbane had cleared the decks for Wayne Bennett's future return.

But Griffin's patience looks set to be tested judging by the Broncos' error-fest against a plucky Cowboys at a packed Suncorp Stadium.

Coming off a woeful 2010, North Queensland took a step in the right direction with their first win over Brisbane since 2007 -- snapping a run of seven straight losses.

Not bad for a side that did not score a point in the second half.

In encouraging signs for equally beseiged Cowboys coach Neil Henry, Johnathan Thurston and Matt Bowen combined brilliantly to inspire the drought-breaking victory in front of 45,119 fans.

Brisbane trailed 16-4 at halftime after Thurston and Bowen weaved their magic.

But Bowen went from hero to villain in the 46th minute when he inexplicably left a Darren Lockyer kick and flying winger Jharal Yow Yeh pounced to cross for the simplest of tries.

Broncos backrower Matt Gillett was denied in the 55th minute due to a double movement.

But North Queensland finally cracked 20 minutes later as they defended a fourth straight set when Brisbane spun it wide to Dane Gagai down the left sideline to cut the deficit to just two points.

Slippery conditions ensured plenty of turnover, but the Cowboys held on for a rare win in Brisbane.

The Broncos drew first blood when redheaded rookie Jack Reed opened his NRL career with a barging try with his second touch of the football in the fifth minute for a 4-0 advantage.

After bundling Cowboys winger Michael Bani into touch close to North Queensland's try-line Reed crashed over wide out three plays later off a Lockyer pass.

Lockyer suffered a nasty head cut after colliding with team-mate Corey Parker but returned to the action soon after with his head bandaged.

Tries to James Tamou and Will Tupou then gave the Cowboys a 16-4 halftime lead.

- AAP