IPSWICH JETS v TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS
North Ipswich Reserve on Saturday, May 23 – 3pm
Referee: Chris Anderson
Head-to-Head: Tweed Heads 18 Ipswich 8
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #JETSvTHS
Radio: Jets Radio
The Jets last played Tweed Heads in the Elimination Final last year – where Ipswich were able to record their first ever win over the Seagulls at their home base of Piggabeen.
At home at North Ipswich Reserve however, the Jets have a much better record and won the past three games played between these two sides at the venue.
This weekend sees both sides make a number of changes, with the Jets forced to adjust their winning Round 10 team where they recorded a 36-20 win over the Mackay Cutters.
Broncos pair Joe Ofahengaue and Daniel Vidot have been called in to the NRL side’s Origin-depleted line-up for their match against Newcastle, while the home side will also be without captain Keiron Lander and utility Troy O’Sullivan. Josh Seage (prop), Teutau Fakahoko (bench) and Brandon McGrady (wing) come into the side.
Last weekend the Seagulls came up against the might of the Townsville Blackhawks and were unable to breach their defence, going down 28-0. It was a game where both sides were guilty of uncharacteristically poor ball handling – something coach Aaron Zimmerle would have addressed with his side this week.
For this match, Sam Saville returns from a one-match suspension at lock, while Blake Anderson comes onto the bench. Tim Cassidy and Hemi Mullen are the players omitted.
TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS v PNG HUNTERS
Jack Manski Oval on Saturday, May 23 – 4pm
Referee: Clayton Sharpe
Head-to-Head: First game
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #TSVBvPNG
Live Stream: QRL Live Stream
Having equalled their best run of four wins in a row last weekend, the PNG Hunters face their biggest test when they take on the Blackhawks in Townsville this Saturday.
This matchup between the two “newcomers” of the competition features two sides in good form, with the Blackhawks having won their past eight matches – including last weekend’s 28-0 shutout of Tweed Heads.
That win came a price however with Robert Lui injuring his hamstring, forcing him onto the sideline for a number of weeks.
Coach Kristian Woolf has had to make other changes to the side due not only to injury, but also to NRL duty (Kelepi Tanginoa).
Samsen O’Neill and Mitchell Seri have been named to play for the first time this season, with half Seri in good touch for Herbert River. O’Neill is returning after wrist surgery earlier in the year and will replace the injured Moses Pangai.
PNG have been able to keep their successful team that defeated Norths last weekend relatively intact, with Lawrence Tu’u promoted from the bench for Brandy Peter (personal commitments). Roger Laka also drops to an extended bench which includes Warren Glare.
WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS v NORTHERN PRIDE
BMD Kougari Oval on Saturday, May 23 – 5pm
Referee: Nick Morel
Head-to-Head: Pride 9 Wynnum 7
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #WYNvPRIDE
Live Stream: Seagulls TV
Two stalwarts from each club will celebrate a key milestone this weekend – with both Matt Seamark and Jason Roos taking to the field for their 150th game for their respective clubs. Seagulls halfback Seamark will play his 160th overall having previously played for Redcliffe, while it is actually the 149th Cup game for Pride skipper Roos – the extra match was his side’s win over Penrith in last year’s NRL State Championship.
The recent history of these two clubs is a fairly even tale, with Wynnum having won five games in a row; but the Pride winning five of the past six games played between the sides, including the most recent three played at Kougari.
On the field – David Stagg have been called up to the Broncos side and will be replaced by John Te Reo on the Seagulls bench, while the Pride come into this match off a bye and with a number of changes to their Round 10 team that fell to the Hunters in PNG.
Co-captain Brett Anderson returns at centre, with Graham Clark taking his place in the second row, while Travis Peeters and PJ Webb are new additions on an extended bench. Dean McGilvray, Semi Tadulala (injured) and Alex Starmer (expectant father) are the players who won’t be making the trip to Brisbane.
REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS v CQ CAPRAS
Dolphin Oval on Sunday, May 24 – 1.40pm* (Live on Channel 9)
Referee: Tyson Brough
Head-to-Head: Redcliffe 27 Central 7 Drawn 2
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #PHINSvCQC
This Sunday’s game between the Dolphins and Capras will be the 500th televised Cup match (ABC TV / Channel 9). The first on April 6, 1996 was between Easts and Toowoomba.
Fittingly for such a milestone, it will feature two of the seven remaining foundation teams – the club with the most TV appearances in Redcliffe (135 appearances) and the least in Central (37).
Redcliffe bring with them some good form, having won their past two matches, including last week’s 19-12 upset over Easts at home. That results showed what the side could do if they held on to the ball long enough to pressure their opposition.
The Capras however suffered their eighth loss in a row against Wynnum Manly last weekend and will hope to kick-start the season with a win at the iconic Dolphin Oval – although will have to overcome their poor form on the road. They have not won away since May 3 last year when the posted a 36-0 result over the Sunshine Coast. Redcliffe too have a drought to break, having lost their past eight games at Dolphin Oval.
Off the field, the Dolphins have partnered with the Zonta Club of Redcliffe and will be helping raise awareness for the Trust Your Instinct campaign in support of Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month by wearing orange socks.
EASTS TIGERS v SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS
Tapout Energy Stadium on Sunday, May 24 - 2pm
Referee: Nick Pelgrave
Head-to-Head: Easts 8 Sunshine Coast 4
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #TIGESvSCF
Livestream: Tiger TV
The Melbourne Storm’s two affiliate Intrust Super Cup clubs go head-to-head on Sunday afternoon with both searching for a much-needed win. After a strong start to the season, the Tigers have dropped their past three while the Falcons will be keen to buck a four-game losing streak.
Easts looked out of sorts last weekend, going down to Redcliffe 19-12 at Tapout Energy Stadium and Sunshine Coast didn’t fare much better on their home turf against a fired-up Souths Logan outfit. However, history remains on the side of the Tigers, with the black and orange claiming the past eight meetings between the two sides.
Following his NRL debut a fortnight ago, Christian Welch returns at prop for the Tigers, with fellow Storm-contracted forward Dean Britt moving to the second row. In one other change, playmaking utility Billy Walters – the son of Broncos’ legend Kevin – has been named to play his second Intrust Super Cup match off the bench and is expected to slot in at dummy half.
For the Falcons, Jake Turpin replaces Billy Kitt at halfback, while former Australia and New South Wales representative Tom Learoyd-Lahrs starts in the front row. Club captain Ryan Hansen celebrates his 50th game milestone for the Sunshine Coast and his 76th Cup appearance overall having previously played for Norths.
The Falcons will also have to replace half Ben Hampton who was suspended for one match after pleading guilty to a Grade 1 Dangerous Contact charge.
BURLEIGH BEARS v MACKAY CUTTERS
Pizzey Park on Sunday, May 24 – 2pm
Referee: Tim Rutherford
Head-to-Head: Mackay 7 Burleigh 6 Drawn 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #BEARSvMC
Both teams come into this match off the back of losses – but the Bears will be feeling that hurt more than Mackay – having gone down to a ruthless Blackhawks outfit in Round 10 by a 78-6 scoreline.
The Bears scored an early try before being blown off the park by Townsville, and the side have also had an extra week to think about the result having had the bye last weekend.
The Cutters got off to a poor start against the Jets and couldn’t make up for it in the second half, going down 36-20 in their third loss for the season.
This weekend, Mackay hooker Rory Kostjasyn (Cowboys) will be replaced by Michael Sio, with the only other change being Ryan Kinlyside coming onto the bench with Blake Atherton omitted.
Burleigh have made five changes, with Khan Ahwang (fullback), Jaiden Hawkes (wing), Mark Ioane and Mitch Sharp as starting props, Jamie Dowling (second row) coming in for Zach Mackay, Todd Seymour, James Dunley, Josh Ailaomai and Kyle McConnell.
The man of the match in this game will receive the “Hayden Butler Medal” in memory of Hayden who lost his life earlier this year. Hayden played much of his football with Burleigh before joining the Cutters. Hayden’s parents Dean and Roberta Butler will attend the game and will present the medal.
*Support is available for anyone who may be suffering depression at www.beyondblue.org.au or by phoning their helpline on 1300 22 4636.
SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES v NORTHS DEVILS
Davies Park on Sunday, May 24 – 2pm
Referee: Jarrod Cole
Head-to-Head: Norths 23 Souths-Logan 14
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #SLMvDEVILS
Souths Logan enter this match with new-found confidence after snapping a six-game losing streak against the Sunshine Coast last week. Since joining the club three weeks ago, 20-year-old halfback Ash Taylor has added another dimension to the Magpies, with coach Josh Hannay praising the composure and astute kicking game of the Broncos Under 20 earlier in the week.
Young winger Samisoni Vaioleti is another to watch with the ball in hand – he crossed for a hat-trick against the Falcons. The Magpies have made one significant change with Joe Boyce named to make his NRL debut for the Brisbane against Newcastle on Monday night. Boyce is replaced at lock by the crafty Travis Waddell.
The Devils went down to PNG last Sunday but did produce a second-half try burst that should keep supporters optimistic about their chances in this one. Coach Mark Gliddon has shuffled his backline in the absence of Dale Copley, who has also earned a Broncos call up. Former Wynnum Manly flyer Sean Loxley moves from halfback to fullback, pushing Ryan Millard to the centres.
After gaining a mid-season transfer, ex-Easts playmaker Liam Tyson is named to start in the number seven jersey for the Devils in his second game for the club. Souths Logan won the two matches played between these sides in 2014.