PNG HUNTERS v SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES
Kalabond Oval, Kokopo on Saturday, May 31 – 2.30pm
Referee: Chris Anderson
Head to Head: First Game
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #PNGvSLM
The Hunters are back home after two varied weeks on the road, and will look for another win to further consolidate their standing in the top half of the ladder. They were made to work hard for their win over the Capras last weekend – but will be a different proposition in front of their home fans at ‘the Graveyard’. Souths Logan will be looking to achieve what only one other club (Pride) has done so far – and claim a win over the Hunters at Kokopo. However, they will have to break their recent pattern regarding away games, with the Magpies having lost four of their past five games on the road. They will be without the services of skipper Phil Dennis on this trip, with Andrew Edwards taking on the captaincy for the match. Other team changes see Grant Cooke, Shane Duck, Dallas Anderson and Darcy Wright come in for Jordan Rapana, Luke Bateman (Raiders Under 20s) and Josh Damen. For the Hunters, Brandy Peter joins an extended bench, with Albert Patak named at fullback in place of Adex Wera who moves to the interchange. Magpies hooker Kurt Baptiste will play in his 50th Cup game, having also previously donned the sky blue of Norths.
Ben ‘Dobbo’ Dobbin (Triple M) says: Souths make the trip to PNG and won’t they face a hostile reception. Israel Eliab and his team are waiting after a spirited win last week against the Capras. The Magpies travel to PNG without the “Love Rat” again which can only spell trouble. But in all seriousness, Kurt Baptiste is doing a great job for the Magpies at dummy half. The Maggies are not far away but this won’t be their weekend. PNG Hunters by 12.
TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS v SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS
Piggabeen Sports on Sunday, June 1 - 2pm
Referee: Liam Kennedy
Head to Head: Tweed 8 Sunshine Coast 2
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #THSvSCF
This will be a game of milestones for players from both teams. Tweed Heads co-captain Matt King will play his 220th Cup game, passing Danny Burke (Brothers / Redcliffe) to sit in fifth place for all-time Cup appearances. Falcon Rowan Klein is set to become his club’s most capped player with 67 games, after drawing level with Jono Muir on 66 games last weekend; a number his twin Callum will reach this weekend. It will also be an important match for Sunshine Coast forward Jaz Nahu-Main (previously with Redcliffe) who will play in his 50th Cup game. On the field, the Seagulls will be looking for their sixth consecutive win – a run of victories which has piqued the interest of competition fans. This match will see the long-awaited return from injury of co-captain James Wood, while other team changes include Cody Nelson to lock, with Ryan James moving to an extended bench and Chris Piper not named. The Falcons have undergone a number of changes from the side that worked hard against the Tigers last weekend, with Joe Meninga, Paul McKewin, James Leavai and Colts players Matthew Saunima’a and David Oakes named for Suliasi Vunivalu, Francis Tualau, Brad Reed and Joey Stimson. Jay Lobwein makes up an extended bench.
‘Dobbo’ says: The Tweed are on a roll and they will want to keep their streak going to break into the top five. The Sunny Coast are really trying hard in pursuit of their first win. Tweed are the surprise packet this year and skipper Matt King has been outstanding. Should be a great game but Tweed will continue their dominance. Tweed Heads Seagulls by 20.
REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS v NORTHERN PRIDE
Dolphin Oval on Sunday, June 1 - 2pm
Referee: Brett Suttor
Head to Head: Pride 12 Redcliffe 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #PHINSvPRIDE
The two ‘elder statesmen’ of the competition will face off this weekend in this intriguing match-up between the Pride and the Dolphins. The oldest player in the competition since coming out of retirement, Petero Civoniceva will face off against Pride winger Semi Tadulala – the Cup’s second oldest player. Tadulala played his first Cup game in 1998 – and this weekend will suit up for his 100th – having previously played for Townsville, Wests and Norths. Last weekend, both the Pride and the Dolphins posted contrasting wins with the Pride’s impressive first half over Wynnum proving enough to claim the two points; while Redcliffe fought back from a 16-point deficit to storm home to a 30-28 victory over Burleigh. Coach Troy Lindsay has made one change to the Redcliffe line-up, with co-captain Marty Hatfield named to return in place of Stewart Mills; while the Pride are unchanged from last weekend’s 36-24 win over the Seagulls. The Pride hold a remarkably lop-sided winning record over the Dolphins, enjoying a 12-1 head-to-head advantage – and they also won the round 3 encounter 20-12. This match will also see another milestone reached, with Redcliffe centre Aaron Whitchurch set to play in his 50th Cup game, all for the Dolphins.
‘Dobbo’ says: Wow, Petero Civoniceva v Alex Starmer title fight at Dolphin Oval. This will be a great game – second (Pride) v eighth (Dolphins). Both sides want some bragging rights here. The Pride are really going well and it’s fantastic to see Ethan Lowe, a proud Northern Pride player, killing it in the NRL for the Cowboys. But I like Redcliffe in this and it’s really important the Dolphins start well. Redcliffe Dolphins by 6.
EASTS TIGERS v MACKAY CUTTERS
Langlands Park on Sunday, June 1 – 2pm
Referee: Chris Butler
Head to Head: Easts 8 Mackay 7
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #TIGESvMC
Live stream: http://tigertv.net/
For some, it may not seem like all that long ago that the Intrust Super Cup season kicked off with the grand final re-match between the Tigers and Cutters. Twelve additional rounds have been and gone since Easts prevailed that day 40-12. In that three month period, the Cutters have struggled to recapture the spark that led them to a breakthrough title last year. Easts have yet to fully hit their stride, but they’re now starting to tick over regular wins in pursuit of a top five berth. At the halfway mark of the season and with only four wins to their name, it’s make or break time for the Mackay Cutters. Coach Kim Williams hopes the return of big forward Rohan Ahern will provide the spark against a formidable Tigers team. Easts forward Liam McDonald will chalk up his 50th match for the Tigers and his 116th overall in the Intrust Super Cup. He will start from the interchange bench along with Queensland Under 20s representative Christian Welch.
‘Dobbo’ says: The Cutters were smashed last week by the Jets at home and this weekend won’t be any easier. The Tigers are currently sitting seventh on the Intrust Super Cup table with Donald Malone kicking them from all over the park. Hymel Hunt is really starting to show his dominance. The Tigers have three straight wins and should add to the tally this weekend. Easts Tigers by 10.
BURLEIGH BEARS v NORTHS DEVILS
Pizzey Park on Sunday, June 1 – 2.10pm* (Live on Channel 9)
Referee: Peter Gough
Head to Head: Burleigh 20 Norths 17
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #BEARSvDEVILS
Burleigh’s annual Pink Day will generate added excitement and colour around Pizzey Park on Sunday when the Bears host the Norths Devils in the Channel 9 match. Burleigh players will wear special jerseys to be auctioned off following the all-important Intrust Super Cup game. For the past six years, the Bears have used the Pink Day and the accompanying Ladies Luncheon to raise more than $80,000 for cancer research. Fans who wear pink will gain free entry into the ground for what promises to be a cracking game of rugby league. Burleigh have dropped to 10th spot on the ladder and simply must win to kick-start their season, which took a hit last weekend after a tight 30-28 loss to the Redcliffe Dolphins. Norths, in contrast, are sailing along nicely under the radar and come into this game fresh from the bye. They sit in third spot on the ladder but could move to equal first if they win on Sunday and other results fall their way. The Devils have had Burleigh’s measure in recent years, winning the last four encounters. On the milestone front, Norths back-rower Chris Faust will line up for his 50th Cup match having previously played for Redcliffe and Souths Logan.
‘Dobbo’ says: Norths had the bye last weekend and Burleigh were unlucky to lose to Redcliffe. This week sees Jim Lenihan’s men take on the Devils. Norths are currently third and Burleigh 10th … it’s the Channel 9 game and everybody keeps asking … where has Frank Barrett gone? It was good to see him on the sideline at State of Origin working the media like a pro. For the record – there was plenty of product in the hair! Sam Forster from the Devils is a gun. Norths Devils by 12.
WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS v IPSWICH JETS
BMD Kougari Oval on Sunday, June 1 - 3pm
Referee: Adam Devcich
Head to Head: Wynnum 18 Ipswich 16 Drawn 3
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #WYNvJETS
Live Broadcast: http://www.spreaker.com/user/wynnumseagulls2014
Wynnum Manly will be out to preserve its unblemished 2014 home record this year when the in-form Ipswich Jets land at BMD Kougari Oval on Sunday. The Seagulls have won all six games in front of their parochial home fans. But given Ipswich’s sparkling form, this weekend’s round 14 match will perhaps be the Seagulls’ most challenging. The Jets were simply too fast for the Mackay Cutters last weekend on their way to a 36-12 victory in Mackay. Marmin Barba, arguably the fastest player in the competition, scored two of Ipswich’s seven tries in the convincing victory. But the young Bronco didn’t do it all the conventional way, producing a classic one-on-one steal the great Allan Langer would have been proud of to score his second try. Wynnum coach Jon Buchanan is sure to have his side well prepared to counter Ipswich’s bag of tracks. The Jets haven’t named Broncos contracted forward Martin Kennedy, but the ex-Rooster is set to line up for his third Intrust Super Cup match of the season. The Seagulls have named the same 17 that took the field in last weekend’s 36-24 loss to the Northern Pride.
‘Dobbo’ says: First v fifth and the match of the round. Martin Kennedy will play for the Jets and his form is getting stronger every week. This will be a quick game as both sides love to play an up tempo style of footy. We won’t know the Wynnum side until the Broncos’ Origin players are passed fit for Sunday’s game. Jets are back in a big way and this weekend they will keep on rolling. Ipswich Jets by 12.
