ROUND 13 PREVIEW
Wynnum Manly Seagulls v Sunshine Coast Falcons
BMD Kougari Oval on Saturday, June 4 - 6pm
Referee: Chris Anderson
Head-to-Head: Wynnum 11 Sunshine Coast 2
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #WYNvSCF
Live Stream: Seagulls TV
After starting the season with six straight losses – Wynnum Manly are this week aiming to win six games in a row to further highlight their remarkable turnaround in form. In these more r3ecent weeks, they’ve posted 50+ points in two of their past five games, and a win tomorrow over the Falcons could see them enter the competition top six for the first time this season. The Seagulls produced a great second half against the Capras last weekend to secure a strong win in what was an odd-flowing game that saw them burst out to an early 22-4 lead before letting the Capras back into the game 22-22 at the halftime break. Coming into this week’s match from a bye – the Falcons have had more time to think about the way they let a seemingly guaranteed two points halve into one against the Magpies who were able to draw their Round 11 game with a penalty goal on the siren. The visiting side will have to defy a poor recent record against the Gulls if they are to re-enter the winners circle, with Wynnum Manly having won the past 11 games played between the two sides. Gulls halfback Matt Seamark has been named this week to play in his 173rd game for the club, equalling the record of premiership-winning captain Luke Dalziel-Don.
XXXX Rivalry Match of the Round
PNG Hunters v Northern Pride
National Football Stadium on Saturday, June 4 – 6:30pm
Referee: Jarrod Cole
Head-to-Head: Pride 2 PNG 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #PNGvPRIDE
The Pride are one of only two sides who have come away from a Hunters home game with a win – and they will be hoping to do it again when they head to National Football Stadium this weekend. Coach Joe O’Callaghan was frustrated by his side’s inability to match the desire of the Magpies in their 24-18 loss last weekend and knows his side will need to get on the front foot early if they are to upset the home side. The Hunters will be glad to return to the familiar sights of home after losing two away games on the trot, including going down to the Jets last weekend. They have won 26 of their 28 games at home, including their last 20 games in a row. The Pride however, have lost four of their past five away games – and there is no tougher away trip than this in the competition. In milestone news, prop Ben Spina will appear in his 127th game for the Pride, moving to equal second with Brett Anderson, but behind Jason Roos with 164. A fellow bookend in Esau Siune will celebrate his 50th Cup game (all for the Hunters). Adex Wera will sit out the next two matches after pleading guilty to a dangerous throw charge. The Pride will travel to PNG without forward Jack Svendsen who has taken an early guilty plea for a shoulder charge and will miss one week.
Townsville Blackhawks v Norths Devils
Jack Manski Oval on Sunday, June 5 – 1.40pm * (Live on Channel 9)
Referee: David Munro Assistant Referee: Nick Pelgrave
Head-to-Head: Townsville 1 Norths 0
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #TSVBvDEVILS
The Norths Devils roared back to life last weekend with a comprehensive defeat of the Tweed Heads Seagulls last weekend. They ran in eight tries to three and will feel the confidence returning to the team. However they travel to Townsville this weekend to face a dominant team stung by a close defeat last weekend which saw them go down to the Tigers in a great match. The home side have won 17 of their 18 games played at Jack Manski, with the only home loss in their history coming at the hands of PNG. Crowd favourite Matt Bowen is back in Blackhawks colours this weekend for only his third ever Cup game, but he has signed on with the club for the rest of the season so that number is set to grow. In team news, fullback Jahrome Hughes is set to return to the side after being called up to the Cowboys last round. For this game, Jack Manski Oval will host a Hawaiian Beach Party, with organisers hoping to see a sea of Hawaiian shirts and hula skirts. Those who attend in costume will receive a reduced price entry ticket. Half time entertainment will feature a hula competition and coconut throwing, in line with the beach party theme.
Souths Logan Magpies v Mackay Cutters
Davies Park on Sunday, June 5 – 2:05pm
Referee: Tim Rutherford
Head-to-Head: Souths Logan 11 Mackay 4
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #SLMvMC
The Magpies are flying high and are undefeated in their past three games, having snatched a deserved victory from the Pride last weekend. Despite some good form, they’ve still not been able to able post consecutive victories (a draw with the Falcons separates their two wins). This week, Brad Frith will start at hooker, with Travis Waddell called up for the Broncos for the injured Andrew McCullough. The Brisbane hooker injured his shoulder in Brisbane’s Round 12 loss to Wests Tigers and is expected to be out for a number of weeks. They will also be without prop Aotealofa Tuimavave, who will miss the next two games after pleading guilty to a dangerous throw charge. Mackay come into this game having had the bye last weekend, and will head to West End with a fresh attitude and reinforcements. Promising back Nico Mataia is back in Cutters' colours for the first time in more than a year after undergoing surgery knee reconstruction. Named on the bench, his return is one positive for a side who have struggled in their past few games, despite posting a coveted win against the Jets in Round 9. The team have been focusing on their defence; a downfall in their recent games. This Sunday, Davies Park will host a family fun day with a jumping castle, sausage sizzle and prize giveaways.
Burleigh Bears v Easts Tigers
Pizzey Park on Sunday, June 5 – 2pm
Referee: Adam Gee
Head-to-Head: Burleigh 21 Easts 19 Drawn 2
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #BEARSvTIGES
The game is the Bear’s first home game since May 1 and they will be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s 32-14 loss at the hands of a fired-up Redcliffe. “On the weekend I thought we lacked a lot of energy, which is something Redcliffe certainly had. They out-enthused us,” hooker Pat Politoni told the Burleigh Bears website. “They were at home in front of a good crowd and ... really came with a lot of enthusiasm which is what we lacked during that game.” However, he conceded that the loss might have been a good wake-up call for his team; who came in to training earlier this week determined to work on bettering their game. “We’re still an improving side, but I think come the next five or six rounds we can step it up and show that we really are a top three contender.” It will be another great test of them however, with the Tigers posting a great win over Townsville in Round 12 to stamp themselves as one of the teams to beat this year. The visitors have also won the past five, and eight of the past nine games played between these two sides. However, they will have to do it without prop Francis Tualau (shoulder charge) and Dean Britt (careless high tackle) who will both miss this match after taking early guilty pleas. – with Kevin Braysher
Tweed Heads Seagulls v Ipswich Jets
North Ipswich Reserve on Sunday, June 5 – 3pm *** (new time and venue)
Referee: Michael Gordon
Head-to-Head: Tweed 18 Ipswich 10
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #THSvJETS
Have the Ipswich Jets rediscovered their magic touch? That’s the question on the lips of many fans after the team’s impressive 30-12 win over the PNG Hunters last weekend. The breakthrough win snapped a worrying run of outs for the defending premiers, who conceded 50 points the week before against the Easts Tigers. However, the convincing nature of the Jets’ win over the Hunters suggests there is still some life in Ipswich’s 2016 campaign. On Sunday, Ben and Shane Walker will look to have their charges up for a repeat effort against the Seagulls. Ipswich has won its past three games against the Tweed, and four of the past five encounters. With four wins each, little separates these teams on the Intrust Super Cup ladder and the threat of heavy rainfall could make the result a lottery. Tweed will definitely need to improve though on last weekend’s performance after a heavy 46-18 loss to the Norths Devils. The presence of Shannon Walker and Shaun Carney will ensure the Seagulls have plenty of strike, while young five-eighth Chris Ash gets another chance to impress for the Jets after a solid performance against PNG last Sunday.
Redcliffe Dolphins v CQ Capras
Dolphin Oval on Sunday, June 5 – 2pm
Referee: Tyson Brough
Head-to-Head: Redcliffe 29 Central 7 Drawn 2
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #PHINSvCQC
The Dolphins farewelled Tyson Andrews in style last weekend, with the prop announcing his immediate retirement due to chronic knee injuries following his side’s 32-14 win over the Bears. It has been an impressive Cup career for the former Manly Sea Eagle, who won a premiership with the Cutters in 2013. Skipper Sam Anderson will move into the starting prop position alongside Rulon Nutria. While the Dolphins will start favourites at home; the Capras were able to show glimpses of their ability last weekend, despite going down to Wynnum Manly 50-28 last weekend. After trailing 22-4 midway through the first half, they fought back to 22-22 at the break, but were unable to match it with the Gulls when they shifted gear. Redcliffe have a dominant head-to-head record against the CQ side and will by trying to become the first Cup side to post 30 wins against another team. The Capras have won only once in their past 12 attempts against the Phins, with that win coming at Roma in 2013. CQ’s last win at Dolphin came in 2009. Redcliffe forward Anthony Cherrington will sit out the next two games after taking an early guilty plea for a shoulder charge offence.
*Each week, the XXXX Rivalry Match of the Round will highlight a match that showcases a traditional rugby league rivalry. The storied histories of club battles, local derbies and bitter grand final combatants will take centre stage in this new promotion by XXXX that helps celebrate the heritage of the “greatest game of all”.
**Statistics by Brad Tallon
