Can The Bears Tame Tupou?

ACROSS the board it's going to be hard to pick winners this weekend in the Wizard Cup. Five very evenly-weighted contests get underway with Burleigh battling Aspley at Suncorp Stadium on Friday evening. Previews for all games enclosed.

BURLEIGH v ASPLEY
Suncorp Stadium, Friday April 13, 5.25pm                       
Referee: Michael Wise

THE STORY:       Both Burleigh’s and Aspley’s forward packs have been punishing in 2007 and this promises to be a bruising encounter. There’s plenty of talent on show, with Darius Boyd, Tame Tupou and Joel Moon playing for Aspley and Richie Mathers and James Stosic set to feature for Burleigh. The match will be played as a curtain-raiser to the historic Titans v Broncos NRL match.

THE STAT:          Burleigh’s Trent Purdon plays his 100^th Queensland Wizard Cup game on one wing, while Aseri Laing mans the other Bears flank. Laing is the highest tryscorer still active in the Wizard Cup with 77, although teammate Nick Parfitt (75) is closing quickly.

THE STAR:         Darius Boyd carries the largest profile of anyone into this game, having been a member of the Brisbane Broncos’ grand final squad in 2006. He has been slated to start at centre, but won’t have things his own way, matching up on two talented opponents in Mathers and Jordan Atkins.

CHANGES:          BURLEIGH – In: John Flint, Leigh Coghill. Out: Stacey Katu, Alex Glenn.                              ASPLEY – In: Lachlan Morgan, Darius Boyd. Out: Troyden Watene-Edwards, Gideon Mzembe.

CHARGES:          None.

Burleigh Bears		Aspley Broncos
Players:  1.  Nick PARFITT  2.  Trent PURDON  3.  Richie MATHERS  4.  Jordan ATKINS  5.  Aseri LAING  6.  Adam HAYDEN  7.  Ben BLACK 13. John FLINT 12. Leigh COGHILL 11. Martin GRIESE 10. Shane O’FLANAGAN  9.  Ryan GUNDRY  8.  James STOSIC Interchange: 14. James GRIFFITHS 15. Travis SIMPSON 16. Josh BLATCH 17. Wayne PHILLIS Coach: Jim LENIHAN		Players:  1.  Denan KEMP  2.  Rodney DAVIES  3.  Jason MOON  4.  Darius BOYD  5.  Tame TUPOU  6.  Joel MOON  7.  Brent McCONNELL 13. Derricke WATKINS 12. Chris MUCKERT 11. Lachlan MORGAN 10. David TAYLOR  9.  John TE REO  8.  Clifford MANUA Interchange: 14. Brynjar RAGNARSSON 15. Luke BROSNAN 16. Nathan STRUDWICK 17. Jamie SIMPSON Coach: Mark GEE

EASTS v REDCLIFFE
Langlands Park, Saturday April 14, 2.00pm           *Live on ABC TV
Referee: Gavin Morris

THE STORY:       The 25^th meeting of the Tigers and Dolphins in the Wizard Cup promises to deliver the same high standard typically afforded these battles. Both clubs have teams capable of winning the premiership this year and have lost just one match between them so far this season. The big guns are back for both teams, with Anthony Boyd returning for Easts and Troy Lindsay in for Redcliffe.

THE STAT:          Redcliffe has won 15 of the 24 games between these two clubs in the Wizard Cup era and has five premierships to Easts’ none. However Easts were winners of the inaugural Winfield State League back in 1982, beating Redcliffe 23-15 in the final. The State League was the precursor to the modern Wizard Cup.

THE STAR:         Justin McKay will play his first match against Redcliffe since his time with the Dolphins in 2003-04. The points-scoring whiz has been named on the bench after spending recent weeks at fullback. McKay spent recent seasons with the Limoux Grizzlies in France.

CHANGES:          EASTS – In: Anthony Boyd, Abraham Sila. Out: Troy Hansen, Kevin Stephensen.
                              REDCLIFFE – In: Troy Lindsay. Out: Deon Bird.

CHARGES:          None.

Easts Tigers		Redcliffe Dolphins
Players:  1.  Matt LOCKYER  2.  John TAMANIKA  3.  David TYRRELL  4.  Wade LIDDELL  5.  Steve BEATTIE  6.  Isaac KAUFMANN  7.  Dane CAMPBELL 13. Anthony BOYD 12. Marcus JENSEN 11. Mark CANTONI 10. Damian DURNFORD  9.  Trent YOUNG  8.  Cameron DURNFORD Interchange: 14. Ben LAITY 15. Abraham SILA 16. Scott SIPPLE 17. Justin McKAY Coach: Michael BOOTH		Players:  1.  Ryan CULLEN  2.  Alwyn SIMPSON  3.  Matt HARRIS  4.  Nick EMMETT  5.  Rory BROMLEY  6.  Chris FOX  7.  Matt SEAMARK 13. Mark SHIPWAY 12. Danny BURKE 11. Grant FLUGGE 10. Nick WALKER  9.  Mick ROBERTS  8.  Troy LINDSAY Interchange: 14. Marty TURNER 15. Pat GARDNER 16. Adam STARR 17. Nathan TUTT Coach: Anthony GRIFFIN

CENTRAL v TWEED HEADS
Browne Park, Saturday April 14, 7.30pm
Referee: Nick Kalpakidis

THE STORY:       Central goes looking for its first win of the season and is confident of pulling off victory on home soil, despite Tweed’s 34-14 win over Ipswich in Round Four. Peter Penaia returns from suspension for the Comets, while Shannon Stitt, Luke Fatnowna and Michael Esdale have recovered from injuries. Tweed Heads still has the services of Titans David Myles, Michael Hodgson and Daniel Conn.

THE STAT:          Rookie Brent Williams is the third of the Williams brothers to play Wizard Cup for Central. Brent, 17, is the younger sibling of current teammate Guy, 22, and ex-Comet Dallas, 24. Dallas is taking a year away from Wizard Cup due to ongoing injuries but is still playing locally in Rockhampton for CQU Norths.

THE STAR:         Among his vast resume, Tweed Heads captain Andrew Moroney spent one season with Central back in 2001. A fearless competitor who plays above his size each week, Moroney has also played for Ipswich and the old Gold Coast Vikings.

CHANGES:          CENTRAL – In: Peter Penaia, Shannon Stitt, Luke Fatnowna, Michael Esdale, Yoren Major. Out: Marty Hatfield, George Tuakura, Kristian Mene, Darren Kingi, James Munns.
                              TWEED HEADS – In: Matthew Austin. Out: Chris Farrell.

CHARGES:          None

Central Comets		Tweed Heads
Players:  1.  Junior AURU  2.  Aiden TE PUKE  3.  Nat BOWMAN  4.  Ben FARRELL  5.  Shannon STITT  6.  Yoren MAJOR  7.  Cheyenne MOTU 13. Tyron HAYNES 12. Todd TITMUS 11. Guy WILLIAMS 10. Pete PENAIA  9.  Patt DALL  8.  Geoff BLACK Interchange: 14. Mick ESDALE 15. Mark SUNIULA 16. Brent WILLIAMS 17. Luke FATNOWNA Coach: Steve ANDERSON		Players:  1.  Ryan MILLIGAN  2.  Nathanael BARNES  3.  David MYLES  4.  James WOOD  5.  Josh VAUGHAN  6.  Brad DAVIS  7.  Tim MACCAN 13. Matthew POW 12. Daniel CONN 11. Andrew MORONEY 10. Roy FRIEND  9.  Matthew KING  8.  Michael HODGSON Interchange: 14. Matthew AUSTIN 15. Selasi BERDIE 16. Chris ENAHORO 17. Chris SANDOW Coach: Troy McCARTHY

IPSWICH v WYNNUM MANLY
North Ipswich Reserve, Sunday April 15, 3.00pm
Referee: Justin Davis

THE STORY:       Motivation should be no problem for either side, both boasting impressive personnel, but so far failing to reach any great heights. Ipswich coach Kevin Walters has been forced to replace key men Danny Coburn (broken nose) and Joel Reithmuller (dislocated finger). Wynnum Manly remains unchanged from the squad which beat Tweed Heads 12-6 a fortnight ago.

THE STAT:          Todd Riggs debuted for Ipswich way back in 2003 but to date has played just five games of Wizard Cup for the Jets. His perseverance has paid off with a chance to secure the Jets’ contentious five-eighth role. Jason Bulgarelli filled in as a makeshift five-eighth last week.

THE STAR:         Tangi Ropati was a dangerman last year for Wynnum Manly and will prove a handful for defenders on kick returns. The colourful Samoan international is an auto mechanic by trade and lists his nickname as either ‘Sculpture’ or ‘The Bod’.

CHANGES:          IPSWICH – In: Ben McFadgean, Todd Riggs, Alex Fata, Brook Alofipo. Out: Joel Reithmuller, Brendon Marshall, Gordon Rattler, Danny Coburn.
                              WYNNUM MANLY – No announced changes.

CHARGES:          None

Ipswich Jets		Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Players:  1.  Smith SAMAU  2.  Ben McFADGEAN  3.  Ricky DODD  4.  Jason BULGARELLI  5.  Tyson LOFIPO  6.  Todd RIGGS  7.  Ricky BIRD 13. Alex FATA 12. Trevor EXTON 11. Geoff CHALK 10. Scott ALO  9.  Michael RYAN  8.  Matt McPHEE Interchange: 14. Isaak AH MAU 15. Brook ALOFIPO 16. Aaron SWEENEY 17. Steven WEST Coach: Kevin WALTERS		Players:  1.  Tangi ROPATI  2.  Chris CURRIE  3.  Jim AHMAT  4.  Paoa FAAMITA  5.  Simon PHILLIPS  6.  Luke DALZIEL DON  7.  Denny LAMBERT 13. Herewini RANGI 12. Darren BAIN 11. Gary WINTER 10. Ben CZISLOWSKI  9.  Kerry SMITH  8.  Angus MARTIN Interchange: 14. Fili SOFA 15. Kurtis CURRY 16. Wade BACHMANN 17. Adam MANSY Coach: Shane McNALLY

NORTHS v NORTH QLD
Bishop Park, Sunday April 15, 3.00pm
Referee: Clayton Sharpe

THE STORY:       Given a shake by an undermanned Central Comets team last week, the Norths Devils face a stern challenge in North Queensland. The Young Guns won 38-18 against Easts last week in the club’s best performance of the year. With both clubs being NRL feeder teams, the underpinning rivalry between players will ensure this is keenly contested match.

THE STAT:          Norths has not contested a Wizard Cup grand final since 1998, despite featuring in eight of the last nine Colts (under 19) grand finals. With the Devils set to end their Melbourne association at the end of this season, many of the players will have their last crack at winning a senior title together.

THE STAR:         The two locks in this contest should provide the Sunday afternoon crowd with plenty of action. Back in the Norths side after a week out, Sika Manu is set to play with his usual powder-keg style, while Rod Jensen has the speed and strength to match any player.

CHANGES:          NORTHS – In: Ryan Shortland, Sika Manu, Scott Anderson. Out: Trent Henrick, Ian Donnelly, Jason Poppi.

                              NORTH QLD – In: Nathan Barraclough. Out: Karl Johnson.

CHARGES:          None.