Round 13 preview: Rivalries return to the spotlight

Burleigh Bears v Tweed Seagulls
Head-to-head: Burleigh Bears 19, Tweed Seagulls 14, drawn 1
Hashtags: #intrustsupercup #BEARSvTWE
Broadcast: Kayo Saturdays via Kayo Freebies

• One of the strongest rivalries in the Intrust Super Cup; the Burleigh Bears will be hoping to avenge their Round 4 loss to Tweed Seagulls when they go head-to-head on Saturday at Pizzey Park.
• While Tweed may have won the clash between the two sides earlier this year, this came after losing the previous eight encounters.
• The line-ups this weekend will look quite different from the last time they met, with Gold Coast Titans players not taking part. However, both sides will still field teams with plenty of experience, including Fijian international Lamar Liolevave and former Canberra Raiders prop JJ Collins for Tweed and PNG Kumuls fan favourite Luke Page for Burleigh.
• The Bears have been in good form at Pizzey Park and have won their past seven home games. They have also won the past four games between these two sides played at the venue.
• In their favour, the Seagulls have won their past three, and five of their past six, away games.

Sunshine Coast Falcons v PNG Hunters
Head-to-head: Sunshine Coast Falcons 7, PNG Hunters 7
Hashtags: #intrustsupercup #SCFvPNG

• The PNG Hunters would hold fond memories of the last time these two sides met when they posted a 32-12 win at Bycroft Oval.
• Since then however, the Hunters have lost their past seven games which is their worst ever losing run.
• The Falcons have won the past five games played between these two sides at Sunshine Coast Stadium with PNG's only win at the venue coming in 2014.
• However, the Falcons have lost their past three home games, a pattern they would like to snap.
• This week, the Falcons have named a team without any players from the Melbourne Storm, but have named Kumuls hooker Kurt Baptiste and experienced halfback Todd Murphy, as well as a host of players who have been part of winning Sunshine Coast teams.
• After a false start last weekend, the Hunters will welcome back fullback Terry Wapi and winger Brendon Gotuno, who were both scheduled to return last weekend.

Brisbane Tigers v Ipswich Jets
Head-to-head: Tigers 27, Ipswich Jets 22, drawn 1
Hashtags: #intrustsupercup #TIGESvJETS

• Both sides will be pushing hard for a victory, with wins hard to come by this season.
• The last time they met however, the Tigers proved too strong, claiming a 36-14 win at North Ipswich Reserve with Storm hooker Aaron Booth scoring a try and kicking four goals in the win.
• Tigers have lost their past five games, with their worst losing run being six, which they have experienced three times – in 2007-2008, 2010 and 2011.
• The Tigers have also lost their past three home games, while the Jets have five losses and a draw from their past six games. Ipswich have also won two of the past three games between these two sides at Totally Workwear Stadium.
• In an interesting quirk, the past three games between these two teams have been won by the away side.
• Jets forward Tyson Lofipo has been named for his 205th Cup game and is set to pass Cameron Durnford to be 14th most Cup games played.

Northern Pride v Townsville Blackhawks
Head-to-head: Townsville Blackhawks 8, Northern Pride 3
Hashtags: #intrustsupercup #PRIDEvTSVB

• The Townsville Blackhawks will be hoping their strength away from home will come to the fore this weekend when they look to make amends for their Round 4 loss to Northern Pride.
• Having won their past two away games, as well as the past four games between the two sides at Barlow Park, it is a good omen for the Blackhawks; but the Pride have won their past three home games to counteract that fact.
• The sides definitely have their differences when it come to their strengths; with the Pride having exceptionally strong in defence this season as demonstrated by them being ranked second defensively – but ranked 11^th in attack.
• On the other side of the coin, Townsville have had no issues scoring points, sitting third in attack. They are also ranked fifth in defence.

Mackay Cutters v Central Queensland Capras
Head-to-head: Mackay Cutters 16, Central Queensland Capras 7, drawn 1
Hashtags: #intrustsupercup #MCvCQC

• Mackay Cutters will be looking back to happier days when they won 28-20 in Round 4 against Central Queensland Capras in preparation for this weekend’s rematch clash.
• While Mackay have had the edge over the Capras recently, winning eight out of the past nine games between the two in Mackay; it’s been a rocky road for them, recently losing seven games in a row; only three games off hitting their worst run of all time (10 in a row in 2018).
• Mackay have been poor at home, losing their last 11 home games, but the Capras have struggled on the road and have lost their past 15 away games.
• The Capras will be keen to put their recent history of three draws and 31 losses behind them and register a much sought-after win this weekend against a Cutters side who will be aching to accomplish a similar feat.

Redcliffe Dolphins v Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Head-to-head: Redcliffe Dolphins 31, Wynnum Manly Seagulls 20, drawn 2
Hashtags: #intrustsupercup #PHINSvWYN

• A 78^th minute try was all that stood between the Redcliffe Dolphins and Wynnum Manly Seagulls back in Round 4 when the Seagulls took the chocolates 34-28 (main image).
• In that game, Reece Walsh, who was in line to make his Maroons debut in Game II before being hampered by a hamstring injury, was playing five-eighth for the Dolphins.
• Wynnum Manly have won three out of the past four games between the sides, all by eight points or less which suggests this weekend will be another tight clash.
• The Dolphins will have the home ground advantage which has proven to be beneficial for them, winning their last two clashes against the Seagulls at Moreton Daily Stadium as well as 11 out of their last 12 matches.
• Both the Hastings Deering Colts and Intrust Super Cup games will be preceded by a minute’s silence to mark the passing of a former board member of the Dolphins, John Fallon.

Norths Devils v Souths Logan Magpies
Head-to-head: Norths Devils 27, Souths Logan Magpies 20, drawn 1
Hashtags: #intrustsupercup #DEVILSvSLM
Broadcast: Intrust Super Sundays via Kayo Freebies, 9Now, QRL.com.au, Intrust Super Cup app and Intrust Super Cup Facebook

• The two sides met earlier this year and Norths Devils won convincingly 39-22 against a Souths side that featured Broncos players Tesi Niu, Anthony Milford, Karmichael Hunt, Albert Kelly, Kobe Hetherington and Cory Paix.
• Both Souths and Norths are in good form and have won their last five games, but Norths hold the edge with regards to matchups, winning four out of their last five games between the two sides.
• In saying this, Souths have recorded four wins and one draw out of the last five games against Norths at Bishop Park and in what seems to be a good omen for Souths, the away side has won the matchup the last five times.
• Norths will need to be on their game defensively if they are to hold out Souths who are the second best ranked attacking side in this year’s competition.
• Last round, winger Jon Reuben become the eighth player to score 100 Cup tries – the Norths flyer did it in 98 games, 23 fewer than the previous quickest Nat Barnes.

*Statistics by Brad Tallon