TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS v WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS
Jack Manski Oval on Saturday, April 4 – 4.30pm
Referee: Chris Anderson
Head-to-Head: First game
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #TSVBvWYN
Livestream: Seagulls TV
After scoring a trademark try in the corner last weekend, Wynnum Manly’s Daniel Ogden now needs just two more four pointers to become the sixth player to post 100 tries in Queensland’s premier competition. Wynnum fans would love to see Ogden reach the milestone this weekend against the Townsville Blackhawks, the form team of 2015 to date.
The Blackhawks have posted 50 points or more in their past two matches to lead the Intrust Super Cup after four rounds. It’s unlikely they will reach the half-century this weekend against a quality Seagulls team coming off a strong victory over the Souths Logan Magpies.
However, Wynnum’s away record is quite patchy, with the Baysiders having only won one of the past seven away games dating back to last year. Townsville are two from two at home, and there is again no shortage of talent in their ranks this weekend with attacking weapons Kyle Feldt, Robert Lui, Glenn Hall and Zac Santo ready to fire once more.
IPSWICH JETS v NORTHERN PRIDE
North Ipswich Reserve on Saturday, April 4 – 5pm
Referee: Michael Gordon
Head-to-Head: Pride 9 Ipswich 6 Drawn 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #JETSvPRIDE
Radio: Switch 1197am Brisbane, Valley FM 94.9 Esk; Phoenix Radio Ipswich
Former State of Origin centre Chris Walker returns for the Jets after missing last weekend’s clash against the Sunshine Coast Falcons. Even without their highest-profile player and key attacking weapon, the Jets were able to run away with a 36-10 victory against the Falcons.
Standing in their way of a fourth-consecutive win is a desperate Northern Pride. The 2014 premiers and NRL State Champions have lost their opening three matches to be languishing at the foot of the table. But it’s still early days – and the club knows how to dig its way out of trouble.
In 2010, the Pride lost their opening three games of the season to be written off as title contenders. They rallied under the leadership of halfback Chris Sheppard to go on and win the Intrust Super Cup grand final at Suncorp Stadium. One of their grand final heroes from that day, PNG forward Rod Griffin, will play for the Jets tomorrow against his old club.
MACKAY CUTTERS v NORTHS DEVILS
Stadium Mackay on Saturday, April 4 - 6pm
Referee: Tim Rutherford
Head-to-Head: Norths 8 Mackay 7
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #MCvDEVILS
A big challenge awaits the Devils, who have not won in Mackay since 2010. An even closer examination of the Devils’ recent away record reveals they have only won two of their past nine away games, both against the Sunshine Coast.
After consecutive losses, Norths need to hit back here against one of the form teams of the competition. The Devils have changes to their backline, with Reece Baker coming into the side on the wing. Kainga Turner moves from the flank to centre, effectively replacing Dale Copley who has returned to the Broncos NRL team.
For the Cutters, key forward Tyson Martin comes into the 17 for Pulou Vaituutuu, while Ryan Kinlyside has been added to an extended bench. The north Queensland team is in great touch, having followed up two strong wins with a 30-8 triumph over last year’s grand finalists Easts Tigers.
Referee Tim Rutherford will officiate his 50th Intrust Super Cup match.
EASTS TIGERS v SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES
Tapout Energy Stadium on Sunday, April 5 – 1.40pm* (Live on Channel 9)
Referee: Nick Morel
Head-to-Head: Easts 26 Souths Logan 11
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #TIGESvSLM
Radio Call: TigerOnAir
Both teams are coming off a loss last weekend and will be keen to bounce back against a traditional rival. The Tigers met a Mackay side in good form and went down 30-8, while the Magpies were left to rue poor handling and missed opportunities in their loss to Wynnum Manly. Coach Josh Hannay said the 10 minutes before and after halftime were critical as they let the Gulls in for a number of tries.
For this weekend’s match, Hannay has been forced to make some key adjustments to his team. Mitch Garbutt was originally named to start, but has been called up to make his debut for the Brisbane Broncos. Other changes see Simanu Crichton move into the side with big winger Ramon Filipine coming on to the bench alongside Phil Dennis and David Faamita. Joe Boyce and Ollie Olds are this week’s omissions.
The Tigers will welcome back Joel Romelo from injury at halfback, with Foisa Peni to start in the back-row. Brentt Warr is out of this week’s side, while Jake Foster moves to an extended bench.
Historically, Easts have held the advantage in the head-to-head stakes over the Magpies, and have also won the past six games played between the two sides.
REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS v BURLEIGH BEARS
Dolphin Oval on Sunday, April 5 - 2pm
Referee: Jarrod Cole
Head-to-Head: Redcliffe 22 Burleigh 18 Drawn 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #PHINSvBEARS
Redcliffe showed they were the side they have threatening to be for a long time with a 44-20 display against the Norths Devils last weekend. Their forwards were impressive in the victory, with coach Troy Lindsay telling Phins fans on the Redcliffe website that he didn’t think he had seen “as big a side as this one” for a long time at the club.
He has named an unchanged line-up for this match, while opposite number Jim Lenihan has made a handful of changes with Zach Mackay and Ayden Lee into the starting side and Kyle McConnell on the bench. Back-row forward Lachlan Burr has been named on an extended Titans bench while Jamie Dowling and Mark Ioane have not been named in either, although Ioane is said to be battling a medial ligament issue.
The Bears have now won two games in a row after defeating the Pride last weekend in Lenihan’s 100th game in charge. Interestingly, Dolphin Oval has proven to be a difficult place for both teams to find a win in recent times, with Redcliffe having lost their past five home games. For Burleigh, the drought is much longer – they have not won there since 2005.
SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS v PNG HUNTERS
Sunshine Coast Stadium on Sunday, April 5 – 3.30pm
Referee: Nick Pelgrave
Head-to-Head: PNG 2 Sunshine Coast 0
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #SCFvPNG
Livestream: QRL.com.au
This is shaping as a crucial game for the Falcons who are looking to kick-start their season with a win. If they do prevail this weekend, it will be an impressive feat as they are taking on the second-placed PNG Hunters who themselves will be keen to improve on their record away from home.
While the Hunters have named an unchanged line-up following their win at home over Tweed Heads in Round 4; Falcons coach Glen Dreger has made changes to the side that went down to the Jets last weekend. Sam Wright comes in at fullback and Nelson Asofa-Solomona starts at prop, while Jye Ballinger, Johnny Vuetibau and Mitch Ebdon are the new faces on the bench.
Named to play last weekend, Ben Hampton instead travelled to NQ as cover for the Storm’s Cooper Cronk and is set to return. Kem Seru, Jordan Ryan, Joe Uluibau and Cory McGrady have been omitted as have Tom Learoyd-Lahrs and Hymel Hunt who are named on an extended Storm bench.
Off the field – there is a great day planned for footy fans and families, with four games scheduled and a visit from the Easter Bunny who will be handing out eggs. The bouncy castle will be up and running for the kids, while there will also be live entertainment pre and post-match.
