IPSWICH JETS v PNG HUNTERS
North Ipswich Reserve on Saturday, August 8 – 3pm
Referee: Chris Anderson
Head-to-Head: PNG 2 Ipswich 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #JETSvPNG
Livestream: QRL Livestream
Two meets three in a Saturday afternoon blockbuster at the North Ipswich Reserve. For the second-placed PNG Hunters, a win here would almost certainly see them wrap up a two spot in the Intrust Super Cup semi-finals.
There is no shortage of motivation as well for the Jets, who can close to within one competition of the Hunters with a victory in front of their home fans. With so much on the line and the prospect of end-to-end attacking football between two of the competition’s best entertainers, this is a game not to be missed.
Ipswich officials have come to the party as well by organising a range of off-field activities. There will be PNG food and dance with plenty to do for the kids, including jumping castles and face painting. “We also have several hundred special tee shirts for the day and a free sausage sizzle and drink for the first 500 patrons,” Jets CEO Wayne Wendt said.
Ipswich is fresh from the bye but will still be without two of its front-line forwards with captain Keiron Lander (broken thumb) and Sam Martin (suspension) a few weeks away from returns. The team’s form over the past month and a bit has been reasonable, with three wins from five matches.
In contrast the Hunters are flying, with Michael Marum’s team undefeated in 13 matches. Their last loss was against Wynnum Manly in Round 6. In a boost for the Hunters, point scoring whiz Noel Zeming is free to play after taking an early plea to a dangerous throw charge. Ipswich utility Liam Capewell plays his 50th match for the club.
TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS v TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS
Jack Manski Oval on Saturday, August 8 – 4pm
Referee: Jarrod Cole
Head-to-Head: Townsville 1 Tweed 0
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #TSVBvTHS
While they are flying high after knocking over two top-six teams in a row this past fortnight, the Tweed Heads Seagulls will need to move up to another level if they are to down competition leaders Townsville this Saturday.
Coming into this game following last weekend’s bye, the Blackhawks’ past two games have resulted in a high-scoring draw against Easts and a loss to fellow ladder-leaders the Hunters.
This week, coach Kristian Woolf has named an unchanged side from their Round 20 trip to PNG, but there could yet be changes with Lorenzo Ma’afu back from a one-game suspension and fellow regulars Rhyse Martin and Johnathon Reuben close to returning from injury.
For the Seagulls, Matt Robinson has been named to come into the back row for Oliver Percy. The Seagulls received some good news at the judiciary last night, with Sam Saville free to play his 50th Cup game after being found not guilty of a Grade 1 dangerous throw.
He was one of their best performers in last week’s win over the Cutters featuring in the top three for runs, metres and tackles for his side.
MACKAY CUTTERS v NORTHERN PRIDE
Stadium Mackay on Saturday, August 8 – 6pm
Referee: Peter Gough
Head-to-Head: Pride 11 Mackay 5
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #MCvPRIDE
This week’s northern derby just got tastier with the Pride having temporarily claimed the top six spot the Cutters have held since Round 3. In fact, the Pride’s elevation is the first change in the top six in 12 rounds.
The Pride forced their way in via a 16-4 win over Burleigh last weekend while the Cutters were downed 24-20 by Tweed Heads which continued the recent tradition of results between these two sides being decided by a converted try or less.
Suspensions to fullback Hezron Murgha (one week) – who was instrumental in their win over Burleigh last weekend – and forward Vaipuna Tia-Kilifi (two weeks) have come at a terrible time for the Pride who would be desperate to continue building positive momentum in the back-end of the season. Hooker Cameron King has also injured his knee and will be replaced by Keelan White, with Luke George (wing) and Brent Oosen (bench) the other new additions.
The Cutters will not need any extra motivation at home and there are a few changes to their line-up this week. Brenden Treston returns in the back row from a wrist injury, while Buchanan Rawhiti replaces Zack Walker on the wing. Joss Boyton and Ryan Kinlyside also return to the squad with Sam Hoare named on an extended Cowboys bench.
SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS v CQ CAPRAS
Sunshine Coast Stadium on Sunday, August 9 – 1.40pm (Live on Channel 9/Win/NBN)
Referee: Nick Pelgrave
Head-to-Head: Central 8 Sunshine Coast 5 Drawn 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #SCFvCQC
Sunshine Coast Falcons will start warm favourites to win back-to-back games when they host the Capras in Sunday’s television match. An impressive 26-18 win over Souths Logan last week has the Falcons in high spirits ahead of their Round 22 home clash.
Kurt Mann played a pivotal role in the Coast’s victory last weekend, and the talented Storm young gun will once again don the No. 6 jersey after his two-try performance against Souths Logan at Davies Park. Slotting in at fullback for this week is another Storm contracted player – former Queensland Under 20s representative Ben Hampton.
After a lean season, the Capras are eager to finish the season a high. They threw plenty at Norths last weekend, but unfortunately for them and their home fans, the final pass often went to ground in a frustrating afternoon. There were however several positives, including the performance of young CQ winger Jake Ainsworth who finished off a superb movement to score an eye-catching first half try for the Capras.
BURLEIGH BEARS v WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS
Pizzey Park on Sunday, August 9 – 2pm
Referee: Tim Rutherford
Head-to-Head: Burleigh 17 Wynnum 15 Drawn 3
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #BEARSvWYN
Livestream: Seagulls TV
Burleigh and Wynnum Manly will play for the annual Adam Watene Memorial Trophy this Sunday. Adam Watene (Cook) played for both clubs and was a popular figure particularly at the Bears. His wife Moana and children Arana and Ena will be at the game to present the trophy to the winning team.
The last time the two teams met in Round 15, Burleigh clinched a 25-24 win, with Khan Ahwang slotting a last-minute field goal. This weekend, the Bears are returning from their trip north against the Pride where they were unable to break through the opposition line for a try.
Wynnum Manly however bounced back from consecutive losses last weekend with a hard-fought 30-22 win over the Redcliffe Dolphins.
Mathew Seamark has been named to make his return from injury this week at halfback for the Seagulls, replacing Ben Cronin who has been named to play in the BRL; but will remain on standby. If he plays, it will be his 100th Cup game (following a previous stint with Souths Logan).
For the Bears, Titans Kevin Gordon (wing), Dave Hala (prop) and Nathaniel Peteru (prop) are set to be the new inclusions in the team this week with Jamie Anderson, Pele Peletelese and Waka Wahani not named.
REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS v SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES
Dolphin Oval on Sunday, August 9 – 2pm
Referee: Tyson Brough
Head-to-Head: Redcliffe 28 Souths-Logan 15 Drawn 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #PHINSvSLM
The Dolphins will be pushing hard to regain that winning feeling when they host the Magpies this Sunday.
Redcliffe were striving hard to claim a finals spot following a strong patch of form that saw them unbeaten for five games; however that run came unstuck against Wynnum Manly last weekend. They let the Gulls out to an early 18-0 lead; but despite a comeback late in the game, were unable to reel in the deficit, eventually going down 30-22.
This week, Anthony Cherrington returns to the side after serving a one-match suspension for Taylor Brown in the backrow. However, Tyson Cleal has been named, but will need to be replaced by coach Troy Lindsay after the forward accepted a one-match ban for a careless high tackle.
Young Colt Josh Bowen-Bowyer has been named to make his Cup debut for the Magpies, coming in at fullback for this match. Other changes for the Magpies see Ihaka Watene move to an extended bench with Tim Brooks coming in on the wing and Ken Levu set to play in the BRL.
The Dolphins will also throw open the gates this weekend’s match. It is the last weekend of junior fixtures in the Greater Brisbane Junior Rugby League so they are celebrating with a Phins Fun Day.
