Round 16 preview: Jensen jets into history for Blackhawks

Tweed Seagulls v Townsville Blackhawks
Head-to-head: Townsville Blackhawks 8, Tweed Seagulls 1
Hashtags: #intrustsupercup #TWEvTSVB
Broadcast: This game is broadcast on Kayo Freebies

• Both teams will be keen to move towards the finals with winning momentum and come into this match following good victories in Round 19.
• With Tweed’s home ground of Piggabeen Oval currently unavailable to host matches, this game will be played at Pizzey Park, home of Tweed’s local rivals Burleigh Bears.
• These two teams have met on neutral turf once before with Townsville defeating Tweed 62-12 in Hughenden in 2018 as part of Country Week.
• However, the last time these two sides met was in Round 15 in 2019 where it was a much closer affair, with Townsville defeating Tweed 24-22 at Jack Manski Oval.
• Townsville half Shaun Nona's four goals last weekend moved him to 348 and into ninth spot on the for Cup, passing Jamal Fogarty with 345 and John Wilshere on 346. Nona now requires one more goal to bring up 100 for the Blackhawks and a further 12 points to bring up 800 in the Cup.
• Forward Corey Jensen – who had been in the North Queensland Cowboys squad – has been named for the Blackhawks for his 76th game with the club, which would see him overtake Michael Parker-Walshe as their most capped player.

Brisbane Tigers v Souths Logan Magpies
Head-to-head: Tigers 32 Souths Logan 14
Hashtags: #intrustsupercup #TIGESvSLM

• The last time these two sides met was back in Round 7 in 2019 where the Tigers snuck away with a 28-20 victory over the Magpies. Forward Tyrone Amey scored a try for the Tigers in that game, but has since joined with the Magpies.
• Despite being in the midst of their worst ever Cup losing run of nine, the Tigers have won their past two games against Souths Logan and have also claimed their past two games against them at their home base of Totally Workwear Stadium.
• The Tigers home ground advantage hasn’t paid dividends for them lately though, losing their past four, and five of their past six, games at home.
• This seems to be a positive omen for the Magpies who have won three out of their past four away games, including an important last-gasp victory against PNG Hunters last weekend.
• Tigers five-eighth Brayden Trophy kicked two conversions last weekend and needs to kick one more goal to bring up 100 in the Cup.

Central Queensland Capras v PNG Hunters
Head-to-head: PNG Hunters 7, Central Queensland 2
Hashtags: #intrustsupercup #CQCvPNG

• Premiership-winning half Ase Boas has been named to play in his 116^th game for the PNG Hunters this weekend (a total that includes the NRL State Championship final) to see him overtake Adex Weda to be the second most capped player in the club’s history. The evergreen Wartovo Puara holds the honour as the most capped and has been named for game 126 this weekend against the Central Queensland Capras
• The last time the two sides met was in Round 6 in 2019 where the Hunters proved too strong, winning 28-10 at Emerald.
• However, the Capras will be happy to know they have a good recent record against the Hunters at this weekend’s venue Browne Park and have won two of the three games played at the venue.
• Overall however, the Capras have not won at Browne Park since beating PNG there in 2018, losing 11 and drawing 2 games there since then.
• Former Hunter Nixon Putt will go up against his old side, with the second rower recently re-signing with the Capras for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

Mackay Cutters v Ipswich Jets
Head-to-head: Ipswich Jets 15, Mackay Cutters 8
Hashtags: #intrustsupercup #MCvJETS

• Ipswich Jets have officially farewelled premiership-winning half Josh Cleeland who announced his retirement following a success-filled career due to a recurring knee injury.
• For their game this weekend, the Jets will be taking on the Mackay in what should be an entertaining clash. While the results for both teams haven’t been what they would have wanted this year, both sides have plenty of talented players who can perform.
• The last time the teams met was in Round 22 in 2019 where the Jets claimed a 28-26 win at North Ipswich Reserve.
• Ipswich have won the past three games between these two sides and have also won the past two, and four of the past five, games played in Mackay.
• It has been hard for the Cutters to claim the victories at home and they have so far only won one of their past 14 games at BB Print Stadium.
• Success away from home has been hard for the Jets who have won one of their past six away games, with two drawn results.
• This weekend, Jets Tyson Lofipo has been named to play in his 209th Cup game, passing Tommy Butterfield to move to 13th highest of all time for games played.

Redcliffe Dolphins v Northern Pride
Head-to-head: Northern Pride 17, Redcliffe Dolphins 6
Hashtags: #intrustsupercup #PHINSvPRIDE

• Back in Round 4 of 2019, Redcliffe escaped with a narrow 20-12 win over the Pride and look primed to secure a victory again this weekend.
• Redcliffe have won their last four games, and 13 of their last 14 games at Moreton Daily Stadium.
• Redcliffe’s 52 points last week was the first time they have ever scored more than 50 points against the Tigers, showing they are in red hot form and are ready to take on the Pride.
• The good sign for the Pride however is the fact that the 2019 loss at Moreton Daily Stadium was their first loss there in nine occasions.
• On top of this, Pride’s away game statistics are strong, having only lost one of their last seven games (including two draws), so despite Redcliffe’s recent form, this weekend’s match is up for the taking.

Sunshine Coast Falcons v Burleigh Bears
Head-to-head: Burleigh Bears 14, Sunshine Coast 8
Hashtags: #intrustsupercup #SCFvBEARS

• Burleigh Bears fullback Kurtis Rowe scored his 67^th Cup try last weekend against Ipswich Jets to overtake Aseri Laing to move to the third top try scorer for the club. Rowe is now only two short of the club record jointly held by Reggie Cressbrook and Trent Purdon.
• This weekend will also be the 100^th Intrust Cup game for Burleigh centre Sami Sauiluma (pictured below) and his 102^nd overall as he has also played in the club’s two NRL State Championship finals.
• This weekend’s opponents Burleigh and the Sunshine Coast last met in the 2019 preliminary final where the Bears rolled a Falcons side featuring Nicho Hynes, Harry Grant and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 24-6 at Pizzey Park.
• In great form, Burleigh have won their past five games, two out of their past three away games and three out of the past four games they have played at Sunshine Coast Stadium, so will take some stopping this weekend.
• Despite a hiccup against Wynnum Manly last weekend, Sunshine Coast have also been in good form, winning three of their past four games against Burleigh. However, the fact they have lost three of their past four home games is a scary omen for this weekend.

Wynnum Manly Seagulls v Norths Devils
Head-to-head: Wynnum Manly 26, Norths Devils 19, drawn 2
Hashtags: #intrustsupercup #WYNvDEVILS
Broadcast: Intrust Super Sundays via Kayo Freebies, 9Now, QRL.com.au, Intrust Super Cup app and Intrust Super Cup Facebook

• Finals-style football comes early this weekend with the minor premiership winners Norths Devils taking on number two side Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
• Wynnum have got the wood over Norths, defeating them 30-6 in their last outing in Round 23, 2019.
• Wynnum Manly’s history against Norths at home is undeniably a worrying sign for the Devils, with the Seagulls winning the past nine games between the two at BMD Kougari.
• Another bad omen for Norths is the fact that Wynnum Manly have won 15 of the last 17 games against them and have also won 11 of their last 12 games at home.
• Norths however are on a roll at the moment have now won their past nine games to equal their best ever winning run set back in 2005.
• Devils winger Jon Reuben just keeps scoring tries and has now scored 106 in Cup, one behind by Liam Georgetown and James Wood who are equal sixth on the all-time tally.
• Seagulls coach Adam Brideson is this weekend aiming for his 50th Cup win as a coach in his 90th game in charge at Wynnum Manly. In his career so far, Brideson has 0 draws and 40 losses.
• Opposing coach Rohan Smith is also hoping to guide his team to their first win over the Seagulls since he started as coach of the club.

*Statistics by Brad Tallon

QRL Judiciary results - Roundd 19