With a third of the competition coming off a bye the week prior, Round 5 of the Hostplus Cup is set to be jam-packed with energy and high-octane action.
Sunny skies are forecasted for the weekend as the Tweed Seagulls will look to capitalise on a fast pitch as they face off against the PNG Hunters, with Seagulls centre Kienan Tempest eager to continue his rich run of form following his selection in last weekend’s Team of the Week.
Tempest will have his work cut out for him however, as the Hunters will be filled with confidence following their eight-try plundering of the Tigers, with the PNG outside backs contributing seven of those tries at Santos National Football Stadium.
The team who delivered the Seagulls a heart-breaking defeat last round are up next, as the Ipswich Jets take on the Burleigh Bears at North Ipswich Reserve.
Rewriting last year’s wrongs, the Jets have blasted off to an incredible start, sitting in the top four to begin the season following victories over the Tigers and Seagulls.
The Bears will look to their Broncos contracted players to continue setting the standard, with Josh Rogers, Deine Mariner and Josiah Karapani coming off impressive performances the round prior.
Currently sitting in second place, the Redcliffe Dolphins take on the Western Clydesdales at Kayo Stadium.
The last time these two played was Round 8 last year, where the Clydesdales caused one of the biggest upsets in Hostplus Cup history, defeating the eventual runners up with a 75th minute converted try.
It would prove to be the only win of the Clydesdales season last year, and it’s a win that will no doubt be in the forefront of their minds come Saturday afternoon.
Two teams who are still searching for their first win of the season play each other next on Saturday Afternoon, with the Mackay Cutters and Northern Pride facing off at BB Print Stadium.
Pride fullback Jarret Subloo is fresh off a monster game, running for 250 metres and crossing for a meat-pie in a valiant performance in a losing side.
The Cutters on the other hand will be well rested coming off a bye and will look towards Thomas Mikaele to lead the charge through the middle, as heavy rain will likely see the big men in the middle dictate the game’s result.
The Hostplus Cup continues further up Queensland’s coast, with Jack Manski Oval playing host to the Townsville Blackhawks and Central Queensland Capras.
Tevita Naufahu of the Capras has shown an insatiable hunger for four-pointers so far this season, with the Rookie leading all try-scorers with a whopping five tries in only three matches.
The Blackhawks will be hoping for Tully product Jack Campagnolo to extend his early season form, with the five-eighth buoyed by incredible performances as of late, including a game-winning performance in Round 2 which saw him earn player of the round.
Back down in Brisbane, this week’s broadcasted match of the round sees the Brisbane Tigers and Sunshine Coast Falcons square off, as both sides look to bounce back following disappointing defeats last round.
Playing at home in Totally Workwear Stadium, the Tigers have faltered thus far in the season, but they may be ready to pounce on a depleted Falcons side who are without star players Lazarus Vaalepu and Sualauvi Faalogo this week.
They have been replaced by Kaleb Sutton and Fletcher Spicer respectively, who will have big shoes to fill as the Falcons look for a victory to keep pace with the top four.
The final match of the round sees the Wynnum Manly Seagulls battling the Souths Logan Magpies at BMD Kougari Oval.
Fresh off a demolition job of the Falcons, the Magpies have been reaping the rewards of brilliant halves play, with Cody Black and Anthony Milford combining for seven try contributions through three rounds.
Jock Madden will be eager to one-up his fellow Broncos half, as the Seagulls look to prevent yet another loss to the Magpies at home, with Souths Logan currently owning a 70%-win rate on Wynnum’s home turf.
HOSTPLUS CUP - ROUND 5
SATURDAY APRIL 5
Tweed Seagulls v PNG Hunters - 2:00pm - Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Ipswich Jets v Burleigh Bears - 3:00pm - North Ipswich Reserve, Ipswich
Redcliffe Dolphins v Western Clydesdales – 4:00pm - Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe
Mackay Cutters v Northern Pride – 4:30pm - BB Print Stadium, Mackay
Townsville Blackhawks v Central Queensland Capras – 5:00pm Jack Manski Oval, Townsville
SUNDAY APRIL 6
Brisbane Tigers v Sunshine Coast Falcons – 2:10pm – Totally Workwear Stadium, Brisbane
Wynnum Manly Seagulls v Souths Logan Magpies – 3:00pm - BMD Kougari Oval, Brisbane
