View the Round 14 team lists here
MACKAY CUTTERS v REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS
Stadium Mackay on Saturday, June 13 – 6pm
Referee: Nick Morel
Head-to-Head: Mackay 7 Redcliffe 6 Drawn 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #MCvPHINS
The Cutters have played out some nail-biters recently, with their past three matches decided by a combined total of five points.
Mackay almost toppled the ladder-leading Blackhawks in Round 13 which would have gone well with their narrow win over fellow NQ rivals the Pride (14-12) the week before. This came after their 23-22 loss to Burleigh. While they now have one win from their past four games, you’d be a harsh critic to suggest any substantial drop in form.
Selection-wise, Tyson Martin shift from the pack to centre to cover for Zack Walker, allowing 190cm Cowboys youngster Coen Hess a start in the backrow.
Without influential playmaker and skipper Luke Capewell, the Dolphins lost their way in their 28-12 loss to the Falcons last weekend. However, he has been named to return for Troy Lindsay’s team, with the former Courier Mail Best and Fairest winner starting at halfback for the trip north. In other changes, Aaron Whitchurch transitions to the backrow with Trent Richardson not in the side.
As is the case with their season to date, the Dolphins have been a mixed bag on the road in 2015, winning three from six. The Cutters have won the past four meetings between the two clubs.
CQ CAPRAS v TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS
Browne Park on Saturday, June 13 – 7.30pm* (new time)
Referee: Liam Kennedy
Head-to-Head: Townsville 1 Central 0
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #CQCvTSVB
North Queensland playmaker Robert Lui is poised to make a comeback for the top-of-the-table Blackhawks in Rockhampton. It’s a substantial boost for the Townsville side, who are once again outright leaders after a tight victory over Mackay last round.
Lui has missed the past three rounds of Intrust Super Cup action, but was sitting at the top of the 2015 Courier Mail Best and Fairest leader board prior to suffering a hamstring injury.
The former Wests Tigers halfback helped steer Townsville to an eight-game winning streak which came unstuck against the Hunters in Round 11. Lui is expected to again partner Michael Parker-Walshe in the halves.
Meanwhile, the Capras return home after a trip south to Burleigh. The Rockhampton-based side announced the signing of current Mackay Cutters coach Kim Williams for the 2016-2017 seasons earlier in the week.
The Capras put up a strong challenge last round, but the Bears’ pack proved too strong, powering them to a 28-12 win. Central Queensland are expected to field an unchanged line-up for this weekend’s match.
PNG HUNTERS v SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES
BSP Stadium, Port Moresby on Saturday, June 13 – 7pm
Referee: Chris Anderson
Head-to-Head: PNG 3 Souths Logan 0|
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #PNGvSLM
This weekend, the Hunters are moving away from their home of the past season-and-a-half and are taking their match against Souths Logan to the nation’s capital. The opportunity to play a home game in Port Moresby presented itself via an invitation from the Pacific Games Organising Committee, who wanted a big event to test the facilities in preparation for event being held in the city from July 4-18.
The game will be played under lights at the recently-redeveloped BSP Stadium. Part of the Sir John Guise Precinct, the venue now boasts a 15,000-strong capacity and a big crowd is expected for the match.
Tickets went on sale yesterday and according to Hunters Interim CEO Shane Morris, 80% of the tickets had been sold by lunchtime.
On the field, Hunters coach Michael Marum has rewarded his side who defeated the Jets in an exciting game last weekend, with Henry Noki’s inclusion to the starting side moving Timothy Lomai to an extended bench.
For the Magpies – former Rooster Paul Rokolati comes into the backline with Brandon Khuu and Tim Brooks out, while the other change see Joe Boyce into the back row with Rhys Jacks on an extended bench. Scott Doyle has been named at centre, but will miss this match due to suspension.
BURLEIGH BEARS v NORTHS DEVILS
Pizzey Park on Sunday, June 14 – 1.40pm* (Live on Channel 9)
Referee: Jarrod Cole
Head-to-Head: Burleigh 21 Norths 18
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #BEARSvDEVILS
Their annual Pink Day has become a major event on the Intrust Super Cup calendar and this weekend the Burleigh Bears will again raise money to help fight cancer.
The team will play in pink jerseys against Norths and they will be auctioned after the match with proceeds going to Cancer Childhood Support. The money will also assist three families within the Burleigh Bears Community who are doing it tough with members suffering from cancer or leukaemia.
After heavy defeats to Tweed Heads and Townsville in the past month, a hard-fought 28-12 victory over CQ last round proved a tonic for coach Jim Lenihan. Burleigh’s powerful pack remains their strength, but they’ll be without bookends David Hala and Mark Ioane, who earned NRL call-ups with the Titans. Speedster Kevin Gordon is replaced by Jamie Dowling, while Andrew Vela, James Dunley and Pele Peletelese make up a new-look bench.
While the Bears have won four from six at Pizzey Park this year, their opposition Norths have struggled on the road this season, losing their past five games away from Bishop Park. The Devils had the bye last weekend after suffering a heavy 50-6 defeat at the hands of Easts.
After making his debut against the Tigers, Queensland Under 18 representative Joshua Fauid is replaced by Dan Murphy in the halves. Murphy is the third five-eighth used by coach Mark Gliddon in the Devils’ past three fixtures. Skipper Krys Freeman moves from hooker to lock.
Dylan Galloway (Norths) and Jamie Dowling (Burleigh) are both set to notch their 50th Intrust Super Cup games.
The Bears are also offering free entry to the game for anyone wearing a pink shirt.
SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS v NORTHERN PRIDE
Sunshine Coast Stadium on Sunday, June 14 – 2pm
Referee: Tim Rutherford
Head-to-Head: Pride 8 Sunshine Coast 6
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #SCFvPRIDE
After upsetting Redcliffe at home last round, the Falcons are aiming for three wins in a row for the first time since 2010 when they take on the Northern Pride on Sunday.
In his Intrust Super Cup debut for the Falcons last weekend, Melbourne Storm contracted Kurt Mann made an immediate impression at fullback, but returns to NRL duties for an Origin-hit Melbourne Storm side.
They are also without outside back Young Tonumaipea, who has been named on the Storm bench. Jay Lobwein starts at hooker in the absence of Billy Brittain, while Brett Doherty, Mboya Adams and Sam Sotogi are additions on the interchange.
The travelling Pride got past Tweed Heads last round, but were battered and bruised in the process. This has forced coach Joe O’Callaghan to make two changes to his starting 13, with centre Javid Bowen (dislocated shoulder) and Graham Clark (ankle) the two casualties.
Veteran Semi Tadulala returns to the wing, while Northern Marlins rep Regan Verney gets a start in the backrow alongside lock Ben Spina, who inked a contract extension with North Queensland earlier in the week.
The gritty forward will remain at the club until the end of 2017. Recent history is in the Pride’s favour – they’ve won the past five games between the two sides including eight from the past nine.
TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS v EASTS TIGERS
Piggabeen Sports on Sunday, June 14 – 3pm
Referee: Michael Gordon
Head-to-Head: Tweed 14 Easts 11
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #THSvTIGES
After earning themselves an 18-10 lead at halftime against the Pride last weekend, Tweed Heads were then held scoreless to lose 24-18, putting a stop to any momentum they were hoping to build following their big XXXX Rivalry Round win over the Bears.
However, they had a disrupted preparation for the game with Davin Crampton injuring his knee in training, preventing him from taking on his old side. He is now unfortunately expected to miss the rest of the season.
This week for their match against Easts, the Seagulls have three new faces in the side with Dave Taylor a big addition. The last time he donned the Gulls colours in 2013, he took home the man of the match award – coincidentally against the Tigers.
Caleb Binge and Gold Coast Under 20 Karl Lawton also come into the side that will be missing Matt Robinson and Matt White who have been recalled to the Titans. Ethan Price has also been omitted.
For Easts, Richie Kennar made his NRL debut for the Storm last week and has kept his place in the side for the match against the Eels with Donald Malone coming into the Tigers backline.
BRL duo Maeli Seve and Billy Walters were selected in the Poinsettias team for the A Grade Carnival last weekend, but return to the Tigers line-up for this game, while fellow rep Brentt Warr makes his debut for the club this weekend at halfback.
The Easts Tigers have retired the number 7 jersey for the rest of the season as a tribute to player and valued club member Grant Giess who passed away suddenly.
*Anyone who is depressed or who feels they can’t manage can contact the beyondblue Support Service via phone on 1300 22 4636 or via their website www.beyondblue.org.au.
