IPSWICH JETS v EASTS TIGERS
North Ipswich Reserve on Saturday, May 17 - 3pm
Referee: Chris Anderson
Head to Head: Easts 18 Ipswich 17 Drawn 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #JETSvTIGES
Live call: www.phoenixradio.com.au
Live stream: http://tigertv.net/
Last week it was Ben Hannant in the spotlight, this week it’s Martin Kennedy’s turn. Dropped by the Broncos after last week’s loss to the Cowboys, Kennedy will wear the Ipswich colours in Saturday’s big clash against the Tigers at the North Ipswich Reserve. Kennedy’ giant frame will add plenty of starch to the Jets’ pack, but Ipswich’s game plan will again revolve around their smaller, quicker men who will look to run the Tigers off their feet. Easts have an abundance of speed and skill at their disposal as well, particularly with new addition Cameron Munster at the back. Last year’s Rookie of the Year made an impact in his first outing for the Tigers last week, crossing for two tries in their nail-biting 28-24 victory over Souths Logan. There is set to be plenty of feeling in this match, with former Jets Donald Malone, Jarrod McInally and Jacob Ling lining up against their old club for the first time this year. Ipswich will be pressing for a club record equalling seven wins in succession, but they will need to deal with a horror recent record against the Langlands Park club. The Jets have won just one of their past six matches against Easts.
Ben ‘Dobbo’ Dobbin (Triple M) says: A real grudge match this! The Jets have been waiting for this one and led by the super human front rower Rod Griffin and their show boat fullback/wing Wes Conlon (best post try celebration in the Intrust Super Cup), have been on a really nice roll. The Tigers will be tough with Cameron Munster a potential super star. Easts lacked a little punch without Cody Walker but coach Trigger has them primed. Ipswich Jets by 12.
NORTHERN PRIDE v BURLEIGH BEARS
Barlow Park on Saturday, May 17 – 5.30pm
Referee: Tim Rutherford
Head to Head: Pride 8 Burleigh 3 Drawn 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #PRIDEvBEARS
Live stream: via Pride Live Tab https://www.facebook.com/northernpriderugbyleague
A mid-season change in direction will see Jim Lenihan return for his second stint as Bears head coach. Lenihan takes over from Carl Briggs, who parted ways with the Bears last week with a 5-5 record this year. The responsibility is now with Lenihan to bring greater consistency to the club; and his task this weekend couldn’t possibly be any more daunting. The Bears will face a formidable Pride team coming off a rare loss. Throw in the Pride’s home ground advantage at “The Jungle”; and it’s a tough first up assignment for Lenihan. But the former Dragons centre has plenty of experience behind him, having previously coached the Bears in 82 games between 2006 and 2009. He has coached the same number of games as Ipswich’s Walker brothers, with 40 wins, three draws and 39 losses to his name. Burleigh have won only one of the past eight games against the Pride, which is another concern for the visitors this weekend. On the numbers front, Burleigh’s Khan Ahwang requires six more points to become the first player to notch 100 for the season. In contrast, returning Pride fullback Hezron Murgha will be hoping to open his account in his first match back from knee surgery. His return means the versatile Davin Crampton will start at lock, despite scoring one of the best individual tries of the season while playing fullback against the Tweed last weekend.
‘Dobbo’ says: Robert Lui was outstanding last week for the Cowboys and the Pride will need that form to be with him when they take on Burleigh. Kyle Feldt has been killing it for the Pride and won’t be far away from an NRL recall. The Pride will be keen for a win and Saturday night at home will be the perfect platform to get them back on track. Northern Pride by 16.
CQ CAPRAS v TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS
Browne Park on Saturday, May 17 - 6pm
Referee: Michael Gordon
Head to Head: Tweed 15 Central 6 Drawn 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #CQCvTHS
Live stream: http://www.spreaker.com/user/caprasnation2014
Central Queensland Capras back-rower Guy Williams plays his 150th match for the club, equalling the club record held by Heath Egglestone. The opportunity to play the milestone match in front of his home crowd is a fitting reward for Williams, who has stuck by the club through its ups and downs. Teammate and fellow forward John Clayton will also play his 50th match for the Capras on Saturday night. The home team has a lot to play for, but they will need to be at the peak of their powers against a Tweed team that is starting to run into some ominous form. Aaron Zimmerle’s Seagulls continued their recent purple patch with a 29-26 win over the Pride last week. And they did it without a number of key personnel, including suspended halfback Beau Henry who is set to play for the Titans tonight along with Kalifa Faifai Loa – last week’s XXXX man of the match. Faifai Loa and Tom Merritt stole the show last week with their clinical finishes, but the form of big men Damian Sironen and Pele Peletelese cannot be understated. Tweed have won their past six matches against Central, and eight of the last nine encounters.
‘Dobbo’ says: Except for a really poor start against Ipswich (which can be attributed to flight delays), there was plenty to like about the Capras last week. Halfback come winger Marlon Doak is a super star who is really hard to handle. Keep an eye on young Liam Pickersgill, bred in CQ as hard as Buffel grass after a frost. CQ are a force to be reckoned with their massive pack. CQ Capras by 12.
REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS v SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS
Dolphin Oval on Sunday, May 18 – 2pm*
Referee: Liam Kennedy
Head to Head: Redcliffe 6 Sunshine Coast 4
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #PHINSvSCF
*Live on Channel 9/WIN
Redcliffe are throwing the gates open and offering free entry for this weekend’s Closing the Gap match against the Sunshine Coast. This is the second year Redcliffe have staged this event, with the aim of supporting the work done by Deadly Choices, Institute for Urban Indigenous Health and Moreton Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service in the area of Indigenous health. The Dolphins will also wear special jerseys to mark the occasion. On the field, the teams are set to provide a great match for the fans, with “Little Brother” the Sunshine Coast always finding a way to lift against “Big Brother” Redcliffe. The Falcons have endured a tumultuous week with the sudden resignation of respected coach Ivan Henjak. Colts coach Glen Dreger will take over the reins for the rest of the season, in the process becoming the 100th coach in Cup history. In team news, Jaz Nahu-Main and James Leavai come into the side, with Shae Ah-Fook dropping to an extended bench and Paul McKewin not named. For the Dolphins, Liam Georgetown to wing is the only change, with Dwayne Duncan playing for the FOGS Colts team. Read more about Redcliffe’s Closing the Gap match at their website: Dolphins Make a Deadly Choice
‘Dobbo’ says: Wow, could it be true? Petero Civoniceva to make his comeback for the Redcliffe Dolphins. Injuries have struck and if it is not this week, next week he will be back. Glen Dreger, the new coach at the Sunny Coast, will be eager to win first up. We called for the sideline eye with more product in his hair than Miranda Kerr and Channel 9 have delivered. Frank Barrett is back. Go and watch him shine even if you don’t like the Dolphins. Redcliffe Dolphins by 20.
SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES v MACKAY CUTTERS
Davies Park on Sunday, May 18 - 2pm
Referee: Michael Wise
Head to Head: Souths Logan 9 Mackay 3
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #SLMvMC
Live call: http://www.spreaker.com/user/crouchpauseengage
Such is the current state of the Intrust Super Cup ladder – these two strong teams sit in 10th and 11th place – but only two wins away from the current top five. The Cutters have now recorded three wins from four games and have momentum, while the Magpies have lost three games in a row. However, two of these have been by a margin of a try or less, and their Round 10 18-10 loss against Ipswich was also a tight match – with the Jets getting away in the closing stages. The Cutters have named an unchanged line up to the one that defeated the Falcons last weekend. Halfback Tom Rouse left the field early in that match, but has been given the all clear by the club to take his place in the side. The Magpies however will field two changes with Raiders Brenko Lee and Luke Bateman joining their side in place of Max Dudley and Josh Damen. In milestone news, Mackay’s Sam Hoare will play his 50th Cup game, all of which have been with the Cutters. Magpies coach Josh Hannay’s previous experience coaching in the local Mackay competition also provides another interesting reference point for this match.
‘Dobbo’ says: The Love Rat has been dropped! But on a serious note, it’s great to see NRL clubs like the Raiders providing their Under 20s with a chance to test themselves against men in the Intrust Super Cup. This will be a great game to watch with Luke Bateman to play off the bench. There are huge wraps on this bloke who hails from the mighty Miles Devils. Souths Logan Magpies by 12.
NORTHS DEVILS v PNG HUNTERS
Bishop Park on Sunday, May 18 - 2pm
Referee: Brett Suttor
Head to Head: First game
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #DEVILSvPNG
Live stream: http://www.qrl.com.au/interactive/live-stream.html
The high-flying Hunters will travel to Bishop Park on Sunday to take on fellow top five side the Devils in what looks set to be a great match-up. The PNG side overcame the loss of their skipper Israel Eliab to illness before the game to record a come-from-behind win over Wynnum Manly last weekend. The Devils however went down to the Dolphins 36-22 and have now lost three of their past five matches after a bright start to the season. Todd Murphy has been named to return in place of Kodi Nikorima, while Chris Faust and Dean Sheppard come in. For the Hunters, Eliab remains on the sidelines while Timothy Lomai returns from suspension via the bench. Willie Minoga and Dion Aiye have also been named on the extended bench, which includes Noel Joel and Stanton Albert. Prop Joe Bruno has been named, but will be monitored by club medical staff after suffering concussion. Norths have a strong home record so far this season, having won three of their four games at Bishop Park this year. This will be the 50th game for Norths prop Pat McPherson and his 58th overall having previously played for Redcliffe.
‘Dobbo’ says: The Hunters went on a demolition job against Wynnum Manly up in PNG with Garry Lo and his teammates scoring tries from all over the park. This will be a tough road trip against Norths on Sunday. Norths copped a belting at the hands of Redcliffe and they need to be on guard to prevent another loss. Combinations are starting to come together for the Hunters who are rolling along. PNGHunters by 12.
