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COWBOYS young gun Tariq Sims' season is all but over after the boom forward received a suspected broken ankle in his side's gutsy come-from-behind 28-20 win over the Sharks at Dairy Farmers Stadium.
The Cowboys kept their top-four hopes alive with a spirited fightback, overturning a 14-6 half-time deficit to sneak home after teenage prop Jason Taumalolo and livewire Matt Bowen crossed in the final nine minutes.
But the drama-charged comeback was marred by the loss of Sims, who is unlikely to be seen again this year after being stretchered off in agony in the 31st minute.
The NRL rookie-of-the-year favourite had his left ankle crushed under the 102kg frame of Anthony Tupou and was rushed to Townsville General hospital last night with brother Ashton for scans.
The Cowboys copped a second bodyblow when lock Dallas Johnson was forced off with severe concussion after colliding with Kade Snowden's knee as the Sharks prop made a hit-up in the 49th minute.
Cowboys coach Neil Henry said the prospect of losing the explosive Sims for the upcoming finals series was a bitter blow.
"If it's a broken ankle it's six to eight weeks so that's his season," he said.
"If that's the prognosis, it's pretty shattering for us and for him."
While they were off-colour for most of the night, the crucial win snapped the Cowboys' three-match losing streak and will give them a much-needed confidence boost on the eve of the finals.
The hosts trailed 8-0 early, 14-6 at the break and looked in trouble when Cronulla hooker Paul Aiton crossed in the 65th minute to give the Sharks a 20-16 lead.
But the Cowboys held the nerve at the back end. Teenage prop Taumalolo posted his second try after crashing over in the 71st minute, before Bowen delivered the last rites with a try seconds from time.
It was also a momentous night for Cowboys co-captain Johnathan Thurston, who posted his 1001th career point when he landed the 71st minute conversion that edged his side clear.
"I'll certainly take it, it was pretty ugly, it was one of those games," Henry said.
"They certainly played like a team with nothing to lose and we played a bit nervous I thought.
"To our credit we made the plays when we needed to.
"One thing we did well is close out the game at the back end. That was a good way to finish what was a pretty ugly game, our completion rate kept us in the game.
"We need to be better in parts of our play but we'll take it. We have lost three in a row so this is good for our confidence. "
Thurston said the 21-year-old Sims, who has been a revelation in the pack, would be difficult to replace.
"He has been great for the club this year, he got a lot of confidence throughout the year and it's shattering if his season is over," he said.
"But it's good for us to get another two points and this keeps us in the top-four (race)."
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...-cronulla-sharks/story-e6frep5o-1226123566348
The Cowboys kept their top-four hopes alive with a spirited fightback, overturning a 14-6 half-time deficit to sneak home after teenage prop Jason Taumalolo and livewire Matt Bowen crossed in the final nine minutes.
But the drama-charged comeback was marred by the loss of Sims, who is unlikely to be seen again this year after being stretchered off in agony in the 31st minute.
The NRL rookie-of-the-year favourite had his left ankle crushed under the 102kg frame of Anthony Tupou and was rushed to Townsville General hospital last night with brother Ashton for scans.
The Cowboys copped a second bodyblow when lock Dallas Johnson was forced off with severe concussion after colliding with Kade Snowden's knee as the Sharks prop made a hit-up in the 49th minute.
Cowboys coach Neil Henry said the prospect of losing the explosive Sims for the upcoming finals series was a bitter blow.
"If it's a broken ankle it's six to eight weeks so that's his season," he said.
"If that's the prognosis, it's pretty shattering for us and for him."
While they were off-colour for most of the night, the crucial win snapped the Cowboys' three-match losing streak and will give them a much-needed confidence boost on the eve of the finals.
The hosts trailed 8-0 early, 14-6 at the break and looked in trouble when Cronulla hooker Paul Aiton crossed in the 65th minute to give the Sharks a 20-16 lead.
But the Cowboys held the nerve at the back end. Teenage prop Taumalolo posted his second try after crashing over in the 71st minute, before Bowen delivered the last rites with a try seconds from time.
It was also a momentous night for Cowboys co-captain Johnathan Thurston, who posted his 1001th career point when he landed the 71st minute conversion that edged his side clear.
"I'll certainly take it, it was pretty ugly, it was one of those games," Henry said.
"They certainly played like a team with nothing to lose and we played a bit nervous I thought.
"To our credit we made the plays when we needed to.
"One thing we did well is close out the game at the back end. That was a good way to finish what was a pretty ugly game, our completion rate kept us in the game.
"We need to be better in parts of our play but we'll take it. We have lost three in a row so this is good for our confidence. "
Thurston said the 21-year-old Sims, who has been a revelation in the pack, would be difficult to replace.
"He has been great for the club this year, he got a lot of confidence throughout the year and it's shattering if his season is over," he said.
"But it's good for us to get another two points and this keeps us in the top-four (race)."
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...-cronulla-sharks/story-e6frep5o-1226123566348
