Townsville Blackhawks v Souths Logan Magpies
Jack Manski Oval on Saturday, May 13 – 4pm
Referee: Liam Kennedy
Head-to-Head: Townsville 2 Souths Logan 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #TSVBvSLM
After leading the XXXX Queensland Residents to an outstanding win over NSW, Blake Leary returns to the Blackhawks line-up for Saturday’s clash against Souths Logan. Leary got through a mountain of work in Queensland’s big win last weekend, and he shapes as a key figure in Townsville’s push for a third-straight finals appearance. Key halfback Michael Parker-Walshe will play his 50th game for the Blackhawks, who sit in fifth spot on the Intrust Super Cup ladder. Parker-Walshe will partner Kyle Laybutt – who also starred in the Residents victory – in the halves at Jack Manski Oval. Souths Logan have gone off the boil over the past few weeks, but there is enough talent in their line-up to upset the Blackhawks on their home turf. They currently sit just outside the top six, with five wins from nine outings under coach Jon Buchanan.
Northern Pride v Tweed Heads Seagulls – 5.30pm
Barlow Park on Saturday, May 13 – 5.30pm
Referee: Tyson Brough
Head-to-Head: Pride 10 Tweed 9
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #PRIDEvTHS
Tweed captain Sam Meskell will take the field for his 50th game for the Seagulls in Cairns. The crafty hooker has been a standout for a Tweed team which has struggled for consistency this year. Their last outing before the representative round was one to forget – but they are not without a chance of taking points away from the Pride’s Barlow Park fortress. The Pride themselves haven’t set the 2017 season alight, which makes for a hard-fought contest between two desperate teams. Little separates the teams in the head to head stakes, with the Pride holding a slight edge (10-9). However, the Pride have been the dominant force in recent encounters, winning the past five games against the Tweed and seven of the nine games held at Barlow Park. Khan Ahwang has earned a recall at centre for following his two-try performance in the position for Kangaroos in the CDRL.
CQ Capras v Ipswich Jets
Browne Park on Saturday, May 13 – 6pm
Referee: Jarrod Cole
Head-to-Head: Ipswich 26 Central 12 Drawn 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #CQvJETS
Key forward Jesse Roberts has been named to make his return for the Jets after a long injury lay off. The skilful back-rower has not played since the Round 2 clash against the Townsville Blackhawks. His return is a major boost for the Jets in the wake of Billy McConnachie’s season-ending knee injury. Ipswich has won their last three games, and another win here will put them right in the mix in the race for the top six. But this won’t be an easy assignment, with the Capras primed for a strong performance in front of their Browne Park faithful. CQ have an abundance of speed and power in their backline, with the likes of Maipele Morseau, Justin Tavae and Tony Tumusa causing opposition defences plenty of headaches this year. Coach Kim Williams can also take great confidence from the form of hooker Krys Freeman, who joined the Rockhampton club from the Newcastle Knights this year.
Redcliffe Dolphins v Mackay Cutters
Dolphin Oval on Saturday, May 13 - 7pm
Referee: Tim Rutherford
Assistant Referee: Nick Pelgrave
Head-to-Head: Redcliffe 9 Mackay 8 Drawn 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #PHINSvMC
The Redcliffe Dolphins will become the first club to take part in 500 Cup games when they host the Mackay Cutters tomorrow night. In their long history in the competition, they have won 317 games, drawn 14 and lost 168. The match will also provide a personal milestone for one of the Cup’s long-serving forwards with Troy Giess (previously with Easts and the Sunshine Coast) to play in his 150th game in the competition. On the field, the Dolphins will welcome back all five of their XXXX Queensland Residents representatives, as well as Thompson Teteh from PNG Kumuls duty. The Cutters come into this game following a disappointing Round 9 loss to the Devils and will be aiming to bring down their high-flying opposition. However, despite the close head-to-head record, Redcliffe have won the past three games played between these two sides.
Burleigh Bears v Sunshine Coast Falcons
Pizzey Park on Sunday, May 14 – 1.40pm* (Live on Channel 9 QLD)
Referee: Adam Gee
Assistant Referee: Michael Gordon
Head-to-Head: Burleigh 11 Sunshine Coast 4
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #BEARSvSCF
After notching two wins in a row, the Bears entered the bye round with two losses and will be looking to once again kick-start their season with a strong performance against the Falcons in front of the Channel 9 cameras. However, it will be a tough ask with the Sunshine Coast flying high after putting in a dominant performance against Burleigh’s coastal rivals Tweed Heads in Round 9 – posting a 58-0 win. They had an unusually strong team that game with Kiwi international Tohu Harris making his return from injury – but while he makes his return to the Storm this week; their side will still boast some strong talent, including players returning from representative round duty including Justin Olam (PNG), Tui Kamikamica (Fiji) and Jahrome Hughes (XXXX Queensland Residents). The Sunshine Coast's win last year was their first in seven games against the Bears and their second in eight games played at Pizzey Park. In milestone news, this well be the 150th Cup game for Falcons forward Jon Grieve (previously with Wynnum Manly).
Easts Tigers v Norths Devils
Suzuki Stadium, Langlands Park on Sunday, May 14 - 3pm
Referee: Chris Anderson
Head-to-Head: Easts 20 Norths 20 Drawn 3
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #TIGESvDEVILS
Two old Brisbane Rugby League foes go head-to-head on Sunday with the Tigers hosting the Norths Devils. In their last home match, the Tigers survived a scare from a spirited Capras team who claimed an early lead, before coming back to claim their sixth win of the season and their fifth win at home on the trot. The Devils also posted a victory in their last game, snapping a three-game losing streak. The visitors have won five and drawn one of the past seven games played between the sides at Langlands; with the Tigers only win coming back in 2012. This game will also see personnel from both clubs reach milestones, with Tigers forward Liufau Hala celebrating his 50th Cup game (all for Easts), while Devils coach Mark Gliddon will be in charge for his 100th match. Gliddon, who was previously with Souths, was recently appointed to the coaching staff of the USA Hawks.
Wynnum Manly Seagulls – bye
PNG Hunters – bye
