The Warriors overcame their first-half jitters to break a three-game NRL losing streak with a 24-12 triumph over North Queensland at Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday.

Facing a Cowboys side boosted by the late inclusion of captain Johnathan Thurston, the Warriors raced to a 20-0 halftime lead - the first time in four matches they had scored a point in the first half.

Ivan Cleary's men had to withstand a brief comeback from the Cowboys after the break before a late try to winger Kevin Locke ensured a much-needed win.

"We started with intent tonight, especially in defence," acting skipper Micheal Luck said.

"Through our defence we forced some errors which maybe we haven't done this year ... that's encouraging.

"Now are boys know we can do that we've got to ramp it up and make sure we're doing it every week."

The visitors played their cards close to their chest all week, naming Thurston in the line-up on match day to complete their key combination of Aaron Payne and Matthew Bowen for the first time this season.

"It's good to beat a full strength side," Luck added.

The Warriors broke their worrying habit of scoreless first halves early when Ukuma Ta'ai shuffled past three North Queensland players and crashed under the posts in the 10th minute.

Second rower Lewis Brown, named in the side after skipper Simon Mannering's last minute withdrawal due to a hamstring injury, pushed the Warriors lead further shortly after.

"He was really close and he did everything that was asked of him but in the end ... he said he didn't feel quite confident enough, so it was basically his call," Cleary said of the skipper's absence.

"It was hard cause you sort of look at him and you think, `he's going great' ... but I guess he knows better than anyone.

"So what we'll get next week is we'll get our captain back at 100 per cent and confident too."

Brown took a high ball off the big hands of Manu Vatuvei, who appeared to be struggling on the damp paddock.

It was Vatuvei's first game in four weeks after a hamstring injury confined him to the bench but Cleary was quick to confirm it wasn't a hammy that ruled him out of the second half.

"It's something between the ankle and the knee," Cleary said, adding the 112kg winger had been sent for x-rays.

"We've just got to cross our fingers and hope it's not too bad.

"It's not his hamstring, OK?"

Just before halftime, Ian Henderson boosted the Warriors' lead to 18-0 before a James Maloney penalty ensured a comfortable halftime lead in front of 10,802 vocal supporters.

The Cowboys managed to muster up some momentum in the second half, putting their first points on the board 52 minutes in when Scott Bolton took a pass from his skipper and planted the ball under the sticks.

Winger Michael Bani boosted the Cowboys' hopes with a try on the left edge five minutes later.

But a strong Warriors defence kept the Townsville side's completion rate down and, with ten minutes remaining, young gun Locke crossed to seal a much-need victory.

"We weren't even completing (at) 50 per cent so if you can't hold the ball how can you compete?" a shattered Thurston said after the game.

"We were shooting ourselves in the foot."

Both coaches were critical of several decisions and the performance of the referees.

"If (referee) Ashley Klein is up to standard, I don't know," Cowboys coach Neil Henry said.

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