CQ CAPRAS v SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES
Browne Park on Saturday, March 29 – 6pm
Referee: Chris Anderson
Head to Head: Central 17 Souths Logan 16 Drawn 2
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #CQCvSLM
Coming off the bye, the Capras will hope the support of their home crowd will help them snare their first win of the season. In their last match against the Hunters in Kokopo, the Capras were run down 46-14 and coach Jason Hetherington will be looking for a much improved performance from his team. He has named a 19-man squad which includes Marco Delapena, Reece Baker, Marlon Doak and Peter Gallen who all missed the overseas trip. Gladstone’s Aaron Hall will keep his place following his strong debut against PNG, while Capras captain Gavin Hiscox has been named to return via the bench after using the bye to fully recover from a groin injury. Young hooker Tom McKenzie is also named on the bench. Souths too are coming off a loss and have a few injury concerns going into the match, with Mat Pitman (neck) and Dallas Anderson (knee) yet to prove their fitness. Changes to the team see Raiders Sam Mataora and Jordan Rapana coming in for Shane Duck and Hershel Gideon. Capras centre Mitch Zorning has been named on an extended bench and will take part in his 50th Cup game if he plays.
Ben ‘Dobbo’ Dobbin (Triple M) says: It was a tough day at the office last week for the Magpies, who suffered their first loss of the season under super coach Josh Hannay. It might be time for him to introduce his star recruit (full name withheld – AKA the Love Rat), whose form in the FOGS has been outstanding. CQ need to win and the rain in Central Queensland changes the whole dynamics. Jason Hetherington to lead the team song. CQ Capras by 2.
TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS v REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS
Piggabeen Sports on Sunday, March 30 – 2pm
Referee: Peter Gough
Head to Head: Redcliffe 19 Tweed 6
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #THSvPHINS
Both Tweed Heads and Redcliffe claimed upset victories last weekend and are set to provide an exciting match-up on Sunday. Both teams got off to great starts – something they will be keen to do again in this match. Aaron Zimmerle’s Seagulls are set to welcome back captain Matt King who missed last week’s 32-14 win over the Magpies, while Sam Irwin and Cody Nelson are the other new additions. Ben Ridge has been named on an extended Titans bench, but may yet return to the team, while Ricardo Parata drops out of the starting side and has been named as 18th man. The Dolphins enjoy a dominant head-to-head record against the Gulls, having won the past five games played. But like the Tweed, Redcliffe also have changes to their winning team. Although listed in 18 for the Broncos, David Hala has been named and is expected to play for the Dolphins this weekend, while Cameron Cullen also returns from an ankle injury. Martin Cordwell and Tim Foster have been omitted, while the in-form Jake Marketo will serve a one-match suspension for a shoulder charge.
‘Dobbo’ says: Well for those who listen, I did tell you that Redcliffe were certainties last weekend. This week will be the same. Zach Strasser has taken the Intrust Super Cup by storm. Jon Green is also an inspiration. Redcliffe Dolphins by12.
NORTHS DEVILS v MACKAY CUTTERS
Bishop Park on Sunday, March 30 – 2pm* (Live on Channel 9)
Referee: Clayton Sharpe
Head to Head: Norths 7 Mackay 6
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #DEVILSvMC
For four weeks in a row, the Norths Devils have finished in front on the scoreboard to earn themselves a share of the Intrust Super Cup competition lead alongside the Northern Pride. This weekend, Mark Gliddon’s side will welcome both the Channel 9 cameras and the defending premiers Mackay to Bishop Park in a match where a win will equal their record of games without a loss. They previously went nine games without a loss in 2005 and have now matched that achievement after carrying the momentum from a strong finish to the 2013 season into the opening rounds this year. The good form of new Devils captain Brendon Gibb has been a key ingredient to their success so far and he currently heads the Courier-Mail Medal leader board after four rounds. The Cutters recorded their first win for 2014 last weekend in tough conditions in Mackay, beating Wynnum Manly 12-4. For this match, former Devils player Dan Murphy has been added to an extended bench, while Norths have also made the bare minimum of changes with Jamie Muller into the starting side, moving Dean Sheppard to the bench. The Nundah club have recent statistics against them however in their quest for five from five, with the Cutters enjoying a golden run against them, winning five of their past six match-ups.
‘Dobbo’ says: Norths remain undefeated and are now considered one of the teams to beat in the Intrust Super Cup. The form of Brendon Gibb – the sparky from Gladstone Brothers – has been as good as mine at a Chinese smorgasbord! Norths Devils by 10.
EASTS TIGERS v PNG HUNTERS
Langlands Park on Sunday, March 30 – 2pm
Referee: Tim Rutherford
Head to Head: First Game
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #TIGESvPNG
A capacity crowd is expected at Langlands Park for the Hunters’ first match in Queensland since their thrilling round 1 victory over Redcliffe. Having played their last three matches at home, the Hunters shouldn’t yet be weighed down by travel-weary legs. They will, however, meet a team with an imposing home record. Easts have won their last seven games at Langlands Park, a record coach Craig Ingebrigtsen is fiercely proud of. Ingebrigtsen will be eager to see improvement from his charges following last weekend’s 24-12 loss to the Dolphins. The Tigers will go into the round five clash without Donald Malone, who is set to miss a week with a niggling hamstring strain. Malone’s absence is a blow, but there is no shortage of talent in the backline that includes 2013 Queensland Residents players Jarrod McInally and Cody Walker. The Tigers are also set to be without Storm forwards Tim Glasby and Mitch Garbutt.
‘Dobbo’ says: The Hunters had their first loss last weekend (another predication that I made) and the pain of that defeat will be in the back off their minds when they play the Tigers at Langlands Park. Easts will want to hit back after dishing up garbage last weekend. PNG’s David Loko has all the clubs talking such is his awesome form, but the travel might hurt the Hunters this week. Easts Tigers by 12.
WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS v BURLEIGH BEARS
BMD Kougari Oval on Sunday, March 30 – 3pm
Referee: Robert Gallacher
Head to Head: Burleigh 16 Wynnum 13 Drawn 3
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #WYNvBEARS
Burleigh Bears have not won at Kougari Oval since 2009. But fresh from a stirring come-from-behind victory over the Ipswich Jets, the Bears are in great shape to tackle the tough away trip and the vocal “Chook Pen”. They have a number of new players in top form, including skilful centre Khan Ahwang who played a starring role against his old club last weekend. Ahwang scored two tries and booted six goals for a personal haul of 20 points. However, points could be much harder to come by for Ahwang and both teams this weekend, with heavy conditions expected at Kougari Oval. The home fans will get to see fullback Daniel Ogden and winger Peter Gubb reach major milestones. The match is the 100th Intrust Super Cup appearance for former Norths flyer Ogden and the 50th game in Wynnum Manly colours for the ever reliable Gubb. This is also Wynnum’s 400th Cup game – they have won 206, drawn 18 and lost 175.
‘Dobbo’ says: Won’t this be a game of rugby league! Both teams have had their ups and downs in the first month of the Intrust Super Cup. Burleigh surprised plenty with their demolition of the Jets last weekend. Wynnum will struggle until Jake Granville gets a hair cut! Burleigh Bears by 12.
IPSWICH JETS v SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS
North Ipswich Reserve, Sunday, March 30 – 3pm
Referee: Jarrod Cole
Head to Head: Ipswich 6 Sunshine Coast 3 Drawn 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #JETSvSCF
He puts his body on the line each and every week, and on Sunday at the North Ipswich Reserve, Jets skipper Keiron Lander will do it for the 100th time in the Intrust Super Cup. Raised in the tiny outback town of Quilpie, Lander’s rugby league journey is an amazing one. He has previously played for Toowoomba, North Queensland and the Mackay Cutters but has found a home at the Ipswich Jets, where his leadership on and off the field is a shining example for the younger squad members. Jets fullback Javarn White is also closing in on a century, with Sunday’s match to be his 92nd overall game and his 50th in the green and white of Ipswich. The Jets have won their past four games against the Sunshine Coast, but coaches Ben and Shane Walker have enormous respect for rival coach Ivan Henjak and except nothing but a torrid contest on Sunday. The Falcons have endured a tough start to the 2014 season, but many critics forget the young side have played four teams that currently sit in the top five.
‘Dobbo’ says: With the fantastic rain that has drenched the Darling Downs and Maranoa, the worries of the Jets’ country contingent have been put to rest. The Jets are a young team with plenty to like about them, but last week they found the bright lights a little daunting like a maiden horse at its first barrier trial. Back home on Sunday, they should win. Ipswich Jets by 14.
