AN UNSUNG hero of this years Intrust Super Cup has been Easts Tigers coach Craig Ingebrigtsen.
The man known as Trigger has, in his first year as head coach, installed consistency in a team that was always talent-laden.
Ingebrigtsen achieved Colts and FOGS Cup premiership wins with the Wests Panthers before taking on a Tigers coaching role that had been tumultuous in recent history.
Last season the Tigers cruelly missed out on the finals by for-and-against points.
This year they qualified easily and dominated their week one final against Mackay notching a 26-0 lead at halftime.
While many, including this columnist, believed the inclusion of Gareth Widdop in his first game back from injury would disrupt the Tigers it is a credit to their sound structure that they were able to slot him into the team without fault.
The Intrust Super Cup is often revered for the playing talent it produces but not given enough credit for the coaches it develops.
Ingebrigtsen stands alongside the Walker brothers at Ipswich and Jason Demetriou at the Pride as coaches bound to be scouted by NRL clubs after their teams' impressive seasons.
***
I AM predicting this Sundays Pride v Tigers clash in Cairns to be a better game than the corresponding NRL clash between the Canterbury Bulldogs and Newcastle Knights on Sunday afternoon.
The Pride v Tigers game is a likely grand final preview while the Bulldogs and Knights have been very inconsistent this season and several rungs below the NRLs top four teams.
It will be a great chance for the Cup to show how good its product is.
***
WHEN I came back to my Courier Mail office following the Ipswich Jets demolition of Wynnum Manly, my pro-Seagulls colleagues were cheekily bemoaning the standard of refereeing in the contest.
It came as a shock to me, as I left the ground wowed at one of the most clinical displays of rugby league I have seen this season.
Then I looked at Twitter and had a string of messages complaining again about the referees.
At the ground the men in pink also copped a battering as they left the field.
The complaints though cannot take away how good the Jets were on Sunday. They not only produced a major upset they did so with their best performance of the season.
AS an insight into how close knit the Jets are, their inspirational halfback Ian Lacey called me during the week wishing my match report focused more on the teams performance and not on himself.
Lacey is as whole hearted a footballer you could meet. Lacey is doing tremendous work away from the field through his role as health liaison officer for the government.
***
THE tireless dedication of former media manager at the Queensland Rugby League, Robert Burgin, in promoting rugby league in South America deserves greater recognition.
The Latin Heat Rugby League, led by Redcliffe Dolphins Vengoa twins, Ben and Brenden, have even sourced a sponsor in popular magazine Gringo, a publication catering for those interested in Latin American news and features.
Formed of players of all Latin American heritages, the Heat squad is less than a fortnight away from making its debut at the Wests Mitchelton Nines tournament in Brisbane on September 21.
