BURLEIGH BEARS v PNG HUNTERS
Pizzey Park on Saturday, April 25 – 3.30pm
Referee: Michael Gordon
Head-to-Head: Burleigh 1 PNG 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #BEARSvPNG
Live Stream: QRL Website
Burleigh will host the PNG Hunters in a special Anzac Day match with the teams playing for the Kokoda Cup in honour of those from PNG and Australia who fought alongside each other in WWII.
There will be a pre-game tribute to all ex-service personnel, who will also be offered free entry to the match (on producing their service medals). Money raised will also be donated to the Burleigh RSL. Last year’s match was a great success, attracting a record crowd for a Queensland/Intrust Super Cup game on the Gold Coast of just under 4000.
Last weekend, Jimmy Lenihan brought up his 50th win as a coach thanks to Burleigh’s 28-18 result over Ipswich. In his career, he has also presided over four draws and 49 losses. This week, there are many changes to the Bears line-up with Khan Ahwang in at fullback and Tyler Chadburn moving into the halves for an injured Todd Seymour.
Kevin Gordon is back on the wing in place of Siuatonga Likiliki, while Christian Hazard is out with a foot injury. Mark Ioane’s strong performance last week has earned him a spot on the Titans’ extended bench, with Kyle McConnell and Louis Fanene the players added to the Bears bench.
The Hunters are unchanged following their close 26-24 win over the Cutters, with Oti Bland Tony, Ase Boas and Nickson Borana on an extended bench.
TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS v EASTS TIGERS
Jack Manski Oval on Saturday, April 25 – 5pm
Referee: Peter Gough
Head-to-Head: First Game
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #TSVBvTIGES
Given their logo and team colours, it is clear Townsville are a club with a genuine connection to the Defence Force. In order to recognise the city’s history as one of the country’s biggest Black Hawk defence bases, they have planned to host a commemorative ceremony prior to kick-off. The players will also take to the field in their special camouflage jerseys to mark the occasion.
On the field, this game is shaping as one of the best of the round, with the top-of-the-table Blackhawks going head-to-head for the first time against the second-placed Easts Tigers. Both teams posted imposing Round 7 wins, with the Blackhawks running in nine tries in their 40-10 win over the Dolphins, while the Tigers stamped their class all over the Capras in their 56-6 victory.
With the teams sitting first (Townsville) and second (Easts) in attack and first (Easts) and third (Townsville) in defence – it is set to be a terrific game of rugby league. The Blackhawks, who have now won five games in a row, have named an unchanged line-up, with only a minor reshuffle of the starting side and the inclusion of Tom Humble on an extended bench. Easts are also settled, with coach Craig Ingebrigtsen going with his line-up from last weekend.
REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS v IPSWICH JETS
Dolphin Oval on Sunday, April 26 – 2.10pm
Referee: Tyson Brough
Head-to-Head: Redcliffe 25 Ipswich 14
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #PHINSvJETS
Brisbane Broncos forward Joe Ofahengaue makes his Intrust Super Cup debut for the Jets in Sunday’s Round 8 clash against Redcliffe at Dolphin Oval. The former Queensland U20s prop will come into the line-up for Billy McConnachie, who is serving a one-match suspension for Dangerous Contact.
Inspirational Ipswich skipper Keiron Lander will take the field for his 100th top grade game for the Jets. The 2014 Queensland Residents skipper played his first Intrust Super Cup game for the Jets in 2010 alongside the likes of Brendon Marshall, Marshall Chalk, Luke Walker, Todd Riggs and Smith Samau.
Ipswich will meet a desperate Dolphins team yet to add to their win tally after an impressive Round 4 victory over the Norths Devils. The Phins have now lost three in a row and have not won at home in seven games.
Redcliffe have organised a huge program of activities to commemorate a century of Anzac Day soldiers, with free entry provided to those wearing their service medals. In team news, Evander Cummins moves from five-eighth to fullback, with John Brady coming into the team as the new No. 6.
NORTHERN PRIDE v SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES
Barlow Park on Sunday, April 26 – 12.30pm* (Coverage on Channel 9 from 1.30pm)
Referee: Nick Morel
Head-to-Head: Pride 13 Souths-Logan 4
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #PRIDEvSLM
It will be an early start for the Pride and Magpies this Sunday when they play as the curtain-raiser to the NRL match between the Rabbitohs and Raiders.
The Pride posted a confidence-boosting 42-10 win over Norths last weekend, with flyer Javid Bowen scoring a hat-trick. Coach Joe O’Callaghan has rewarded his players by naming an unchanged line-up for this match, including centre Dean McGilvray who made his debut for the club last weekend. Brent Oosen has been named on an extended bench.
While the Pride have now strung together back-to-back wins – the Magpies have lost their past four games – and have been held scoreless in two of their past three matches following their 24-0 loss to Tweed Heads last weekend.
Josh Hannay has rewarded Ramon Filipine for his strong performances in the BRL competition with a wing position this weekend, while his Logan Brothers team-mates David Faamita and Ihaka Watene have been named on the extended bench. The Magpies do not have the best record at Barlow Park, having only won one of their past seven matches at the ground since in 2012.
CQ CAPRAS v TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS
Browne Park on Sunday, April 26 - 2pm
Referee: Liam Kennedy
Head-to-Head: Tweed 17 Central 6 Drawn 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #CQCvTHS
Live Call: Capras Spreaker
Both teams have been hit hard with injury in recent weeks, with the Seagulls losing Jai Ingram (ankle), Mark Offerdahl and Jake Leary last weekend. They have been replaced in the line-up by Ethan Price (bench) and Davin Crampton (centres).
The Gulls will also be without prop Damian Sironen for this match after he pleaded guilty to a Careless High Tackle charge. He will be a big loss for the side, having played the full 80 minutes in their 24-0 win over Souths Logan.
This will be the first game in charge for new Capras coach Lionel Harbin, who became Central's 12th mentor after taking over the reins from Jason Hetherington. His father John coached the Capras in 1997 and 2012.
For this match, he has named a seven-man bench, but has made minimal changes to the starting side despite coming off a 56-6 loss at the hands of Easts. However, Dan Randall has been named for the injured Tarrant Mariner (ankle) in the centres. Andrew Dale and Aaron Watson return to the side, while former half Jonathan Tavinor has re-joined the club to add some much-needed experience. Tweed will be aiming for their 150th win in their 279th game – they have drawn 11 and lost 118.
WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS v NORTHS DEVILS
BMD Kougari Oval on Sunday, April 26 – 3pm
Referee: Chris Anderson
Head-to-Head: Wynnum 19 Norths 17 Drawn 2
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #WYNvDEVILS
Live Stream: Seagulls TV
While the head-to-head ledger gives Wynnum Manly a close 19-17 advantage, they have proven hard to beat for Norths in recent years, with the Seagulls having won the past eight games between these two sides.
In an ominous sign for the Devils, the Seagulls are also in good form winning their past two games, while Norths have struggled in recent weeks, posting losses in their past five matches including a heavy 42-10 defeat at the hands of the Pride last weekend.
Tanu Wulf has been named on the bench in the place of Stephen Coombe in what will be his 50th game for Wynnum and his 131st overall following previous stints with Souths Logan and Burleigh.
His inclusion is the only change to the Seagulls side, while there have been some key adjustments made to the Devils line-up. Francis Molo (Broncos), Luke Pollock, Todd Lowrie and Reece Baker have been replaced in the line-up by Josh Afoa, Billy Solah, Byron Creighton and Sean Loxley (BRL competition).
There will be a special Anzac ceremony staged just prior to the main game and the Seagulls will also support Wynnum RSL who will be fundraising to support Mates for Mates. All service members past and present will have free entry to this game.
