NORTHERN PRIDE v MACKAY CUTTERS
Langlands Park on Sunday, September 22 - 2pm* (Live on Channel 9 and ABC Radio)
Livestream: http://www.qrl.com.au/default.aspx?s=live-stream
Referee: Clayton Sharpe
Head to Head: Pride 9 Mackay 3
Head-to-Head Finals: First clash
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #ISC #PRIDEvMC
The battle of the northern heavyweights will be played at Langlands Park this Sunday and while it may be a neutral ground there is no doubting the emotion involved in this preliminary final match between the Northern Pride and Mackay Cutters. Putting their disappointing qualifying final performance against Easts behind them, the Cutters were impressive last weekend against the Ipswich Jets. The first half was an even affair with the teams going into halftime 10-10 but aided by the boot of Matt Minto Mackay took control of the second half to go on and secure the 27-16 win. The Pride however were not quite able to match it with the talented Tigers team in their major semi-final, going down 29-16 in a game marred by errors. Mackay coach Kim Williams has made one change with Cowboy Jason Taumalolo coming in for Pulou Vaituutuu. The Prides Jason Demetriou has made three adjustments with Wayne Ulugia back from the Cowboys at fullback, Shaun Nona in at five-eighth and Justin Castellaro on the wing. Kyle Feldt who reinjured his ankle in his comeback game last weekend has been sidelined, while Scott Moore and Ryan Ghietti have not been named. Turning to the statistics, the Pride have won four of the past five games played between these two sides; however Mackay won the last game this year. Interestingly, their two games this year were the respective sides biggest wins over the other (Round 1: Pride 44 def Mackay 12, Round 17: Mackay 26 def Pride 16).
QRL Media tips: Northern Pride by 6. Although off their game in recent weeks, the Pride have been the most consistent team all year and should be able to turn things around in Sundays crunch match.
