This weekend sees some great rivalries – old and new – take centre stage for the Intrust Super Cup for XXXX Rivalry Round.
Ipswich Jets v Easts Tigers
North Ipswich Reserve on Saturday, April 8 - 4pm
Referee: Chris Anderson
Head-to-Head: Easts 21 Ipswich 20 Drawn 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #JETSvTIGES
A key Tigers player will celebrate an important milestone in this enticing game against the Jets, with the ever-reliable Tommy Butterfield set to feature his 100th game for Easts and his 179th overall, having previously played for Redcliffe.
The key points to this rivalry:
- 42 players have played Cup for both clubs – including Tigers winger this weekend Jarrod McInally.
- Ipswich have never lost five games in a row under the Walkers brothers, and will be aiming to keep it that way against Easts. The side are currently on a four-game losing streak, the last time they lost five in a row was in 2010 when they picked up the wooden spoon.
- While all teams aim to make their home ground a fortress, the Jets have struggled of late and have lost three of their past home games at North Ipswich Reserve.
- The Tigers win against Townsville last week was their first away win in seven games, a trend they’ll be out to continue at Ipswich.
Sunshine Coast Falcons v PNG Hunters
Sunshine Coast Stadium on Saturday, April 8 – 4.35pm
Referee: Liam Kennedy
Assistant Referee: Tyson Brough
Head-to-Head: PNG 4 Sunshine Coast 3
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #SCFvPNG
Livestream: QRL Live Stream
Hunters skipper Ase Boas has been in fine form of late and will be out to continue his strong performances in his 50th Cup game (all for the Hunters) against a surging Falcons side. Sunshine Coast forward Jye Ballinger will also celebrate a milestone in this match as he is set to move to 77 games for the club, passing Ryan Hansen for third most appearances (behind the Klein twins Callum 101 and Rowan 100).
The key points to this rivalry:
- Sunshine Coast knocked the Hunters out of last year’s competition with an 18-12 win at National Football Stadium. This shock result came after they lost 34-4 there only the week beforehand.
- Have blemished their imposing home record against the Falcons in their last meeting, PNG will be aiming to return the favour as the side have won their past three away games and will be out to make that four against the Falcons.
Northern Pride v Townsville Blackhawks
Barlow Park on Saturday, April 8 - 5.30pm
Referee: Jarrod Cole
Head-to-Head: Townsville 4 Pride 0
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #PRIDEvTSVB
Live Stream: Blackhawks TV
The battle for the Foley Shield is on in this key NQ match-up. Townsville will be smarting following their loss to Easts Tigers late in the game last week, while the Pride will be aiming to build on their home win over the Bears in their Round 4 match.
The key points to this rivalry:
- The Pride have gotten closer to Townsville with each game played; losing by 42, 18, 13 and then 2 points in Round 22 last year.
- While Northern Pride have won 80 of their 102 games played at Barlow Park; Townsville have beaten them in both games played there.
CQ Capras v Mackay Cutters
Browne Park on Saturday, April 8 - 6pm
Referee: Tim Rutherford
Head-to-Head: Mackay 11 Central 6
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #CQCvMC
While rivalry is the name of the game this weekend, the rugby league family knows how to take care of each other and at Browne Park – the focus will be on helping community. The Palaszczuk Government is working with the CQ Capras so that families in flood-hit Rockhampton can watch their local derby game with Mackay Cutters on Saturday for free. Gates will open at 1.45pm ahead of the XXXX Rivalry Round game between the Capras and the Cutters which kicks off at 6pm. On the field, Mackay will be a tough task for the Capras as they will have taken a lot of confidence from their away win over Wynnum Manly last weekend. It was their first away win in 17 games. Flyer Jordan Pereira will also play in his 50th Cup game (all Mackay).
The key points to this rivalry:
- The Capras have won the past two games between these two sides.
- The Capras win against Burleigh in Round 3 was their first home win in eight games and they’ll be looking to add to that tally against Mackay.
See the 2017 Player Profiles for your club via the Intrust Super Cup club page
Burleigh Bears v Tweed Heads Seagulls
Pizzey Park on Sunday, April 9 - 1.40pm*
Referee: Michael Gordon
Assistant Referee: Damian Brady
Head-to-Head: Burleigh 13 Tweed 13 Drawn 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #BEARSvTHS
This Pizzey Park clash between the Bears and Tweed Heads will epitomise the desperation on display throughout the round as both teams strive for their first win of the season. This game will be Burleigh coach Jim Lenihan's 150th Cup game in charge (not including the Intrust Super Premiership), while opposing coach Aaron Zimmerle will be at the helms for his 99th.
See what Bears fullback Kurtis Rowe and Tweed Heads co-captain Sam Meskell had to say to QRL Media earlier this week in the lead up to this this game: High stakes at Pizzey Park
The key points to this rivalry:
- Burleigh won both games between these two sides last year.
- Tweed Heads are currently enduring their worst-ever losing run, having gone down in their last 11 games.
- Defending premiers Burleigh have both their first five games so far this season; the worst start to a season for a defending premier was Tweed Heads back in 2008 when they lost their first six matches.
Souths Logan Magpies v Norths Devils
Davies Park on Sunday, April 9 - 3pm
Referee: Nick Pelgrave
Head-to-Head: Norths 23 Souths-Logan 17 Drawn 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #SLMvDEVILS
With the injury to Broncos half Ben Hunt in his side’s win over the Roosters last night, media have speculated that the Norths and Souths Logan number 7s (Todd Murphy and Sam Scarlett) could be playing off for a chance to feature with Brisbane. Either way, this is set to be an exciting clash, with both teams enjoying a good run of form and playing entertaining rugby league. Devils winger Michael Lucas crossed for a try in the 36th minute of his side’s win over the Capras last weekend to move to equal fifth for the club on their try scorers tally with 38, alongside Derek Fletcher. He is now one behind Namila Davui, while Daniel Ogden (now with Wynnum Manly) as most with 77.
The key points to this rivalry:
- Norths have not beaten Souths-Logan since 2013, with the Magpies winning five and drawing one since then.
- Souths Logan have lost their past three home games
Wynnum Manly Seagulls v Redcliffe Dolphins
BMD Kougari Oval on Sunday, April 9 - 3pm
Referee: Jon Stone
Head-to-Head: Redcliffe 26 Wynnum 17 Drawn 2
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #WYNvPHINS
Live Stream: Wynnum Manly Seagulls TV
It is Past Players day at Wynnum Manly this Sunday, with the club hoping the presence of some former greats will help spur the team on against their great rivals Redcliffe. The team in focus will be the 1982 Seagulls side (35 years) – more details at the Wynnum Manly Facebook page. On the field, the Dolphins will be without star performer Benji Marshall for the trip to BMD Kougari Oval after he fractured his wrist in the win over the Jets last weekend. Named to start at lock for the Seagulls, John Te Reo will move to third of the list for most Cup appearances for Wynnum with 155, passing former skipper Tim Nautch (behind Mat Seamark with 182 and Luke Dalziel-Don on 173). Wynnum Manly forward Salesi Funaki will miss this match after taking an early guilty plea for a careless high tackle in the loss to Mackay last weekend.
The key points to this rivalry:
- Redcliffe have won only one of the past six games between these two sides, 38-6 at BMD Kougari Oval last year.
NOTE: *In recognition of the significant and far reaching influence that Richie Johnston had on the game of rugby league, all teams (players & staff) in the QRL's Major Competitions matches will join the match officials and wear black armbands on their left bicep to honour his contribution during this weekend’s matches.
*Statistics provided by Brad Tallon
