View the Round 9 team lists here
IPSWICH JETS v EASTS TIGERS
North Ipswich Reserve on Saturday, May 9 – 3pm
Referee: Jarrod Cole
Head-to-Head: Easts 19 Ipswich 18 Drawn 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #JETSvTIGES
Broadcast: Phoenix Radio (or via the Tune In app)
Livestream: Tiger TV
One look at the head-to-head record shows this is one of the competition’s great rivalries and no matter where they sit on the ladder – this match-up will produce an entertaining game.
This week is set to be no different – with the Jets in good form and the Tigers looking to bounce back after being outclassed by Townsville in Round 8.
For this game, Joel Romelo (sternum) returns from injury via the Tigers bench with Michal Kai in at centre for Shane Neumann. Dayne Weston has been named for Melbourne against the Eels. Cameron Munster – who has been performing well for the Storm in the absence of Billy Slater has this week been named in 18 for the Storm, and may possibly be a big in for the Tigers.
Billy McConnachie is back from suspension for the Jets, while Rod Griffin returns from a thumb injury which prevented him from taking his place in the XXXX Residents line-up. Joe Ofahengaue who made his Jets debut last round has been named for the Broncos, while Daniel Vidot has not been named in either team and may yet be a late inclusion.
Ipswich are using the Mother’s Day weekend to celebrate Women in League and will hold a special function for 200 female supporters. They will also showcase a women’s touch football before the main game. The team will wear special pink jerseys which will be auctioned and proceeds then shared between the Kim Walters Foundation and the Ipswich Domestic Violence Action Centre.
TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS v BURLEIGH BEARS
Jack Manski Oval on Saturday, May 9 – 4.30pm
Referee: Liam Kennedy
Head-to-Head: First Game
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #TSVBvBEARS
Such has been the success on the field of the Townsville Blackhawks in recent weeks; many punters are wondering if another team will be able to topple them this season.
Brought down in Round 2 by the Ipswich Jets, since then the competition’s newest team have been flying high and in their last match made light work of fellow top six team Easts Tigers in recording a 40-12 Round 8 win.
This weekend, they will face a Bears side who would feel unlucky to have lost in the final moments against the PNG Hunters in their Anzac Day clash in Round 8.
Off the back of their forwards, Burleigh have found some good form in recent weeks and will be looking to test themselves against the ladder leaders.
Coach Jim Lenihan has named an unchanged side for his 105th Cup game; which will draw him to equal 10th overall with Anthony Griffin.
For Townsville, skipper Daniel Beasley has been named to back up from Queensland Residents duty, while team changes see Ricky Thorby return to the forward pack. Kelepi Tanginoa has been named on the Cowboys bench.
WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS v TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS
BMD Kougari Oval on Saturday, May 9 – 5pm
Referee: Clayton Sharpe
Head-to-Head: Wynnum 15 Tweed 14
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #WYNvTHS
Livestream: Wynnum TV
The Wynnum Manly Seagulls surged from fifth place to second in Round 8 after scoring 66 points to four in their Round 8 win over Norths Devils.
Daniel Ogden scored four tries in the win to move to the top of the Leading Try Scorers ladder with 11 in total. Halfback Matthew Seamark kicked nine goals and now only requires 10 points to bring up 1000 points for Wynnum Manly and become only the third player to score 1000 Cup points for a single club with Liam Georgetown (Redcliffe Dolphins) and Brad Davis (Tweed Heads) the other two players.
This weekend, Matt Grieve returns to the Wynnum Manly line-up with David Stagg not named, while Mitchell Frei returns from playing in the victorious XXXX Residents side to play in his 50th Cup game having also previously played for Norths.
For Tweed Heads, skipper James Wood is battling a knee injury that required follow up surgery in the preseason. Prop Damien Sironen returns from a one-match suspension and has been named captain in his place. Other changes see Matt Robinson into the backrow for Jarrod Morfett.
Wynnum have won four of the past five games (including both last year) between these two sides.
MACKAY CUTTERS v SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS
Stadium Mackay on Sunday, May 10 – 1.40pm* (Live on Channel 9)
Referee: Chris Anderson
Head-to-Head: Mackay 11 Sunshine Coast 2
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #MCvSCF
Mackay are coming off a two-week break having had a bye in Round 8 and the weekend off last week for the Representative Round.
They last played in PNG, suffering a 26-24 loss; however, Michael Sio (out this week due to personal commitments) and Tyson Martin played for Samoa and PNG respectively in the Pacific Tests.
In the original schedule, the Falcons would have also had a two-week lay-off, but instead played their postponed match against the Pride last weekend, falling to the defending premiers 34-10.
The Falcons were down 28-0 at halftime, but performed much better in the second and will hope to bring that form with them for this match against another northern rival.
They will be boosted by the inclusion of Queensland Residents half Ben Hampton and forward Kenny Bromwich, while other changes see Sam Sotogi and Joe Stimson come into the side. Billy Kitt and Jordan Ryan have not been named, while Jacob Samoa has moved to an extended bench.
The Cutters – who have won their past four home games – have also made a number of changes since their last game with Sam Hoare, Zack Walker and Aleki Falepaini included in the team, with Mitch Day and Buchanan Rawhiti not named.
SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES v REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS
Davies Park on Sunday, May 10 - 2pm
Referee: Nick Pelgrave
Head-to-Head: Redcliffe 27 Souths Logan 9 Drawn 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #SLMvPHINS
Gun young Broncos half Ashley Taylor is set to make his Intrust Super Cup debut with the Souths Logan Magpies this weekend. The former Toowoomba junior played for the Junior Kangaroos last Saturday and has been sent to the Cup to further his development.
It is a good boost for Josh Hannay’s side who have played with heart this season – but are missing finesse when it was most needed. In their last match, the Magpies put in a good showing against the Northern Pride – but still went down 36-18.
Their opponents this week are Redcliffe who have similarly struggled against their opposition. While the Magpies have lacked nous in their fifth-tackle options – the Dolphins problems can simply be summed up as a lack of execution.
The Dolphins fought hard against the Jets – but as they have done for much of the season – let dropped ball and errors get in the way of building pressure on their opposition, eventually going down 42-28 after one stage drawing close 30-28 late in the second half.
This week for the Phins, Evander Cummins is set to play in the BRL competition with Josh Beehag moving to fullback, while Tristan Lumley comes into the side in the centres.
NORTHS DEVILS v CQ CAPRAS
Bishop Park on Sunday, May 10 – 2.30pm
Referee: Tyson Brough
Head-to-Head: Norths 24 Central 10 Drawn 2
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #DEVILSvCQC
The Devils are back at home and will hope the familiar surrounds of Bishop Park will help them recapture some early season form against CQ. Norths have also won the past six games between the sides, so they will want this pattern to stay true.
Since winning their first two matches, Norths have struggled and last round fell to Wynnum Manly 66-4. However, their only try was one of the more entertaining, with Rogan Dean running almost the length of the field before Dylan Galloway crossed.
The Capras too have found wins hard to come by and have been unlucky on a number of occasions, losing by two points twice. In their last match, they let go of an 18-16 halftime lead over Tweed Heads to eventually go down swinging 32-24.
Francis Molo has been named for the Devils and joins Todd Lowrie, Josh Afoa and Richard Tuala as this week’s new additions. Dale Copley is also a rumoured inclusion; while Mark Vaiao has not been named. Dan Murphy, Max Seumanutafa and Jaz Nahu-Main are set to play in the BRL.
For the Capras, Jake Ainsworth, Garrett Field, Aaron Watson and Tyson White (bench) come in for Ray Ebsworth, Mark Johnstone, Nathan Young (knee) and Andrew Dale.
PNG HUNTERS V NORTHERN PRIDE
Kalabond Oval on Sunday, May 10 – 2.30pm
Referee: Michael Gordon
Head-to-Head: Pride 2 PNG 0
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #PNGvPRIDE
While most other sides enjoyed last week off for the Representative Round, the Pride won their catch-up match against the Falcons; while the majority of the Hunters played for PNG in the Pacific Test against Fiji.
That physical clash should have them prepared for the in-form NQ side – but it may have taken a lot out of the players who were also in Australia the week before for their game against Burleigh. That Anzac Day match proved a ripper, with the Hunters clinching a coveted away win thanks to a late Stargroth Amean try.
This week, Javid Bowen and Ben Spina return from rep duty for the Pride, while fellow Queensland Residents Patrick Kaufusi (Cowboys) and Hezron Murgha (personal reasons) are out. Graham Clark will stay home to be present for the birth of his first child while Bradley Stephen will also miss the match.
Alex Starmer made his Pride return last weekend and this Sunday will play his 117th Pride game to become the equal 2nd most capped player for the club alongside Ben Laity. Another milestone sees Semi Tadulala play his 50th game for Pride and 121st Cup game overall (Stingers / Wests / Norths) – but he will first have to pass a fitness test.
