Round 6: Weekend Wrap - Hostplus Cup

Author: QRL Media
Timestamp: Tue 15 Apr 2025, 03:28 PM

The men from the North of Brisbane and the North of Queensland lead the pack after round 6 of the Hostplus Cup as the Norths Devils and Townsville Blackhawks remain undefeated.

After missing the finals last year, the Blackhawks have turned a corner in 2025 – led by blistering outside backs and a gritty forward pack.

The Blackhawks had their toughest match-up of the season in round 6 as they prepared to face an undefeated Redcliffe Dolphins side

Coming up against last years Grand Finalists, the Blackhawks went behind early as Dolphins halfback Joshua James parted the defensive line, taking three Blackhawks with him as he crossed over for the game's opening try.

From there on in however, it was one way traffic for the Blackhawks.

Kalifa Faifai-Loa bagged himself a double as the Blackhawks outclassed a blitzed Dolphins outfit in front of a Townsville home crowd.

The other Grand Finalists from last year had no such issue keeping their unbeaten streak alive, as the Norths Devils took care of the Sunshine Coast Falcons in enemy territory.

Manase Kaho was twice the beneficiary of some wonderful back line plays while also displaying shrewd defensive reads in what was an epic performance from the winger.

For the Falcons, starlet Sua Faalogo was a ball of excitement, though his eccentric playstyle couldn’t will his side over the line.

Another player whose team fell short despite a stellar performance, is Northern Pride halfback Tom Duffy.

In a performance which included a try, a try assist, 115 running metres and 430 kicking metres – it was his 60% conversion rate which Duffy will likely reflect on with disappointment, as the Pride would go on to lose to the Seagulls by two points at Barlow Park.

A miraculous late try from Ron Philitoga would serve as a death knell for the Pride, who are still searching for their first win of the season.

The Papua New Guinea hunters will be feeling some empathy for the Pride, after they too were defeated by two points after a failed game winning conversion attempt in the game’s dying minutes.

Julian Christian of the Jets was dangerous the entire game with his fancy footwork and brilliant passing entertaining the home crowd for the full eighty minutes.

Joel Hughes of the Western Clydesdales was similarly mesmerising with ball in hand, bravely drifting across the field and drawing in defenders despite the heavy-hitting power of the Mackay Cutters’ edge back rowers.

The Clydesdales’ spine as a whole played a brilliant game against the Cutters, leading the men from Western Queensland to their second win of the year.

It wasn’t to be for the regional clubs this round, as the Central Queensland Capras were defeated by the Burleigh Bears.

Inspired by their Cyril Connell Cup premiership earlier in the day, the Bears tore through the Capras line with Josiah Karapani in particular carving up the defence with damaging runs out his own end.

Capras second-rower Nixon Putt did all he could, running for 140 metres and doing plenty of dirty work in a valiant performance.

The Brisbane Tigers might have found a new lease on life this season, making it two wins in a row after suffering a brutal defeat to the Hunters in round 4.

Centre Josh Smith has been in red-hot form, this week running for 190 metres.

Lock Joe Stimson has also strung together multiple impressive performances, as the ex-Storm forward has run for 255 metres and made 74 tackles in his last two outings.

Despite the loss, Ben Te Kura again shone for the Magpies, racking up 170 running metres.

Sadly however, the hulking front-rower was unable to extend his try scoring streak after making it three games in a row before taking to Totally Workwear Stadium last weekend.