MACKAY CUTTERS v PNG HUNTERS
Stadium Mackay on Saturday, June 14 – 6pm
Referee: Chris Butler
Head to Head: PNG 1 Mackay 0
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #MCvPNG
Watch the live stream here
Both the Hunters and the Cutters staged great comebacks last weekend – overcoming halftime deficits to go on and claim last-gasp wins. The Hunters maintained their strong home record at “The Graveyard”, stunning Redcliffe to win 43-36. The Dolphins lead 18-0 at halftime before PNG began their revival. Mackay too were down at the break, trailing 16-6; but rallied in the second half, scoring two tries while keeping Wynnum Manly scoreless. In team news, Timothy Lomai returns from suspension for the Hunters with Tiger Emere moving to an 18-man bench. Adex Wera returns at fullback, replacing Albert Patak. For the Cutters, Rohan Ahern is in for Ross Bella (who will play for the Queensland Under 18 side on Wednesday), with Niko Mataia named along with Dave Petersen, Ryan Kinlyside and Andy Gay on an extended bench. Stand-in skipper Liam Taylor, who kicked the winning conversion last weekend, requires only two more tries to equal the club record of 31, currently held by Bureta Faraimo. PNG’s Noel Zemming too is close to writing a first draft of history for his club – and requires two more points to become the first Hunter to score 100 points.
Ben ‘Dobbo’ Dobbin (Triple M) says: The Hunters are flying, sitting in second place on the Intrust Super Cup ladder. Many a good judge have felt the Hunters’ bubble would burst, but it’s just getting bigger. They are the real deal and will give the title a real shake. The come-from-behind win against Redcliffe last Saturday – with injuries and suspension plaguing them – displayed their enormous class. PNG Hunters by 8.
SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES v CQ CAPRAS
Marley Brown Oval on Saturday, June 14 - 7pm
Referee: Nick Morel
Head to Head: Souths Logan 17 Central 17 Drawn 2
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #SLMvCQC
The Intrust Super Cup will head to Gladstone on Saturday night. The Magpies seem to enjoy the country air, winning their past three games at Marley Brown Oval. Although the head-to-head record currently cannot be split, the out-of-towners also enjoy a strong recent record over the Capras, taking home the win in nine of their past 10 games. The Capras started well against the Tigers last weekend, only to be blown away in the second half and will look to tighten their defence against a Magpies team fresh from the bye. Having lost in their trip to PNG, the Magpies will see the return of skipper Phil Dennis, Jordan Rapana, Leon Panapa and Raiders youngster Luke Bateman to the side. Dallas Anderson, Jack Ahearn, Zac Lemberg and Darcy Wright have not been named. For CQ, Yeppoon prop Joel Marama is set to make his Cup debut after being named on the bench for John Clayton (hamstring strain). Hayden Buckman returns to the line-up at centre after playing in the QRL A Grade Divisional Carnival last weekend and will take the place of the injured Marco Delapena. Tyson White from Gladstone makes up an 18th man bench.
‘Dobbo’ says: Souths Logan and Central Queensland need this win, with both teams having been on the wrong side of the scoreboard in the last month. Central Queensland will be without their head coach Jason Hetherington, who is on Origin duty. This is do-or-die for both teams. Souths Logan Magpies by 6.
EASTS TIGERS v NORTHERN PRIDE
Langlands Park on Sunday, June 15 – 2.10pm* (Live on Channel 9/WIN/NBN)
Referee: Peter Gough
Head to Head: Pride 9 Easts 4
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #TIGESvPRIDE
Audio: http://tigertv.net/ (audio only)
The Pride survived a massive scare last weekend – with a last minute field goal from Sam Obst securing a 15-14 win for the ladder leaders over the Sunshine Coast. While the Falcons played out of their skins to push them right up to the siren – the Pride should be prepared for a similarly determined challenge from their rivals this weekend. The Tigers had difficulty early on against the Capras, before finding their stride in the second half to record a 34-4 win. The victory also pushed them back into the top five for the first time since Round 4. While the Pride have a healthy record over the Tigers, Easts have only lost one game at home this year and have also won five games in a row – building key momentum. In team news, Easts will be without Cameron Munster and Tim Glasby who are in the Melbourne Storm’s 17; while Hymel Hunt and last week’s XXXX man of the match Felise Kaufusi are on an extended bench. The players to come in are Eddie Tautali at fullback, young Storm winger Dane Chang, Troy Giess and Foisa Peni. For the Pride, Alex Starmer returns to the side with Ricky Thorby not named.
‘Dobbo’ says: The Tigers are coming! Donald Malone has been outstanding and the Tigers need a big scalp if they are to be considered a title threat. This will be a tough game with the Pride doing just enough to win at the moment. Watch out for them come the back end of the season. Veteran halfback Sam Obst is in vintage form and looks capable of playing at NRL level again. Easts Tigers by 6.
TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS v IPSWICH JETS
Piggabeen Sports on Sunday, June 15 – 2pm
Referee: Brett Suttor
Head to Head: Tweed 17 Ipswich 7
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #THSvJETS
Tweed Heads prop Damian Sironen will miss two matches after being found guilty of a Grade 2 dangerous throw at last night’s judiciary. But the news was better for teammate Cory Blair earlier in the week, with the tough Tweed back-rower avoiding a one-match ban after entering an early plea to dangerous contact. Blair will now line up for his 50th game for the Seagulls, who host the Ipswich Jets at Piggabeen on Sunday. Ipswich is coming off a dreadful loss 50-12 loss to the Burleigh Bears. In an uncharacteristic performance, the Jets were blown away by the Bears who led 32-0 at half-time. It turned out to be Ipswich's biggest home loss since 1998, their biggest loss to Burleigh, their equal biggest loss under the Walkers and the first time 50 points have been scored against a team coached by Ben and Shane. In contrast, Tweed is riding is a wave of success entering the round 16 clash, having won their past seven games to emerge as a genuine title threat. The Seagulls have also never been beaten by an Ipswich side in 12 matches south of the border, with the Jets having lost nine games at Piggabeen and three at Ned Byrne Oval.
‘Dobbo’ says: Aaron Zimmerle has done a fantastic job with the Seagulls who are on a massive winning streak. Currently in third place, they take on the Jets who are sitting in fourth. The Jets have lost three out of four games in the last month but don’t be fooled, they will have captain Keiron Lander back and they know this game is crucial in the title race. It’s too close to call – a 12-12 draw.
BURLEIGH BEARS v SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS
Pizzey Park on Sunday, June 15 - 2pm
Referee: Liam Kennedy
Head to Head: Burleigh 8 Sunshine Coast 3
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #BEARSvSCF
The Burleigh Bears were super impressive in last weekend’s demolition of the Ipswich Jets. While speedsters Anthony Don and Henare Wells stole the limelight with five tries between them, Bears hooker Nafe Seluini was equally destructive with his work out of dummy half. But in a blow for the Bears, the livewire former NZ Warriors young gun sought treatment on an injured shoulder immediately after the match and has been ruled out of this weekend’s clash against the Sunshine Coast Falcons at Pizzey Park. Former Eel Matt Keating is also out with a back injury, meaning Matt Beddow will slot into the No. 9 jersey. Burleigh is close enough to the top five to challenge for a finals berth in the back half of the season, but can ill-afford to slip up against teams they’re expected to beat. The Sunshine Coast fall into this category after enduring a tough season to date. However, the signs are good for the Falcons who came tantalisingly close to claiming the high-profile scalp of the Northern Pride last weekend.
‘Dobbo’ says: “Disco” Jimmy Lenihan has the Bears finally believing in their ability and aren’t they starting to shine. Fifty points on the Jets showed there is plenty to like about their attack. Ryley Jacks was outstanding last week along with the flying winger Anthony Don. The Sunny Coast showed plenty of courage going down by a point to the Pride, but it will be hard to keep the pressure on Burleigh as they attack from everywhere. Burleigh Bears by 16.
NORTHS DEVILS v WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS
Bishop Park on Sunday, June 15 - 3pm
Referee: Michael Wise
Head to Head: Wynnum 18 Norths 17 Drawn 2
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #DEVILSvWYN
Preview & Live Call: http://www.spreaker.com/user/wynnumseagulls2014/isc-inquisition-preview-and-highlights
Queensland Residents selectors will keep a keen eye on this game with a number of players from both teams in contention for the representative selection. There are some enthralling match ups right across the park, including the hooking duel between Jake Granville (Seagulls) and Krys Freeman (Devils). Both teams sit on 18 points with the winner a chance of climbing back into the top five by the completion of the round. Wynnum Manly’s 18-16 loss to the Mackay Cutters last weekend saw them slip out of the top five for the first time since round 4. The Seagulls have won their past seven games against Norths, but their record away from BMD Kougari Oval this year doesn’t make for pretty reading. Heading into the Bishop Park clash, the Gulls’ have just one win to show from six matches on the road. After being soundly beaten by Tweed last weekend, the Devils will look to atone in front of their home fans with Freeman and skipper Brendon Gibb to provide the direction in the middle of the park.
‘Dobbo’ says: Jordan Kahu is starting to dominate which is a great sign for Wynnum Manly and for the Brisbane Broncos. Norths have got a little off track and need some starch back in their defence. Hard to pick, but perhaps Norths because they are desperate at home. Norths Devils by 6.
Redcliffe Dolphins – bye
Team lists for each match can be viewed here: Intrust Super Cup Weekly Teams
