ROUND 12 PREVIEW
Ipswich Jets v Wynnum Manly Seagulls
North Ipswich Reserve on Saturday, May 27 - 3pm
Referee: Liam Kennedy
Head-to-Head: Wynnum 22 Ipswich 18 Drawn 3
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #JETSvWYN
The winning form of the Jets came to a halt last weekend when they came face-to-face with the PNG Hunters. Ipswich were put on the back foot from the get-go and trailed 22-0 at halftime before mounting a trademark comeback to eventually fall 32-12. This weekend, they face a Wynnum Manly side who also turned the tide last weekend; breaking a six-game losing streak to post a 28-4 win over Burleigh. Daniel Ogden's double saw him increase his tally to four tries so far this season. While the past four games between these sides have been won by the away team - this weekend the Gulls are going to have to try and win without forward start Aaron Rockley who will miss this game after being found guilty of Dangerous Contact at the QRL Judiciary. In milestone news, this will be the 50th game for Ipswich for Huskie Teutau – a total which includes their successful Intrust Super Championship tilt in 2015.
Mackay Cutters v Burleigh Bears
BB Print Stadium Mackay on Saturday, May 27 - 6pm
Referee: Nick Pelgrave
Head-to-Head: Mackay 8 Burleigh 8 Drawn 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #MCvBEARS
While the Cutters might not have a great record against Burleigh, they will be eying off their chances against a wounded Bears outfit this weekend. Mackay have won only one of their past six games played against their Gold Coast rivals (including one draw), but they will be hoping they can snap their losing run at home. The Bears will field an unchanged 17 from last weekend, giving the team who went down 28-4 to Wynnum Manly last weekend the chance to respond with a strong performance on the field. The Bears have lost their past four game and have also only won one of their five away games this year a 20-18 result over Townsville in Round 7. This Saturday night match will be the 50th Cup game for Cutters fullback Jack Joass who joined the Cutters this season after spending time with Souths Logan and Easts Tigers.
Wear your Intrust Super Cup club’s jersey or polo when you visit the competition tent at Maroon Festival this weekend to go in the draw to win a signed football. Winner will be drawn in the afternoon of May 28.
CQ Capras v Northern Pride
Marley Brown Oval, Gladstone on Saturday, May 27 - 6pm
Referee: Nick Morel
Head-to-Head: Pride 12 Central 5
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #CQCvPRIDE
The Capras came within a minute of scoring an upset victory last weekend – and they will be looking to claim an outright victory this weekend when they host the Northern Pride. The Capras had a number of strong performers feature for them in their game which saw them draw 26-26 with the Blackhawks, including Maipele Morseau who scored a double. He has been named to start at fullback this weekend. The Pride were last weekend the latest victims of a Souths Logan scoring run late in the second half, going down 42-28. However, while their defensive lapses would have left coach Ty Williams concerned, their five-try effort lead them to their highest score of the season so far. Despite enjoying a superior head-to-head record and having won the past five games played against the Capras – they Pride will know they have a tough challenge on their hands at Gladstone’s Marley Brown Oval.
Tweed Heads Seagulls v Redcliffe Dolphins
Piggabeen Sports Complex on Sunday, May 28 – 1.40pm* (Live on Channel 9 QLD)
Referee: Chris Anderson
Assistant Referee: Tyson Brough
Head-to-Head: Redcliffe 21 Tweed 8
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #THSvPHINS
This game takes on special significance as it marks a decade since the clubs played out a thrilling Queensland Cup grand final. Tweed Heads were victorious 28-18, taking their only Cup premiership. The premiers of ’07 will use this weekend’s rematch to get together for their first reunion, gathering at the Coolangatta Hotel on Saturday night before being special guests at Sunday’s match which will be telecast by Channel 9. The Gulls have one surviving player from the game in centre James Wood, while hooker Matt King is on the coaching staff as Aaron Zimmerle’s assistant. (Read more at the Tweed Heads Seagulls website.) While Redcliffe got the job done against the Devils last weekend, coach Adam Mogg was not happy with the way his side deviated from their set game plan, telling the Courier Mail he was disappointed in how they executed. The Dolphins have a strong recent record against the Gulls, winning seven of their past nine games at Piggabeen.
PNG Hunters v Townsville Blackhawks
National Football Stadium on Sunday, May 28 - 3pm
Referee: Tim Rutherford
Head-to-Head: PNG 3 Townsville 2
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #PNGvTSVB
The PNG Hunters will play the Blackhawks for the Air Niugini Cup this weekend, with the airline putting up the perpetual trophy to help commemorate the recently launched direct flights between Port Moresby and Townsville. “The Cup will be played for on an annual basis and will encourage our fellow country folk living in and around Townsville, supporters of the Blackhawks as well as the business and corporate community to travel to Port Moresby,” Air Niugini CEO Simon Foo said. (Read more at the Townsville Blackhawks website.) On the field, the Hunters will be confident of continuing their winning run, as they have won both games played in PNG against the Blackhawks. In addition to winning their past four games, Townsville have been strong on the road and have taken the two points in four of their past five away games. However, top try-scorer Jonathon Reuben has been ruled out with injury. This weekend, Blackhawks hooker Anthony Mitchell will feature in his 100th Cup game, with the former NRL player having previously played with Mackay who won the premiership in 2013.
Norths Devils v Sunshine Coast Falcons
Bishop Park on Sunday, May 28 - 3pm
Referee: Chris James
Head-to-Head: Norths 10 Sunshine Coast 5 Drawn 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #DEVILSvSCF
The Sunshine Coast have been hit hard by the judiciary this weekend, with two stars to miss the Round 12 match against Norths Devils. In-form five-eighth Jahrome Hughes has been ruled out for a week for Dangerous Contact, while Justin Olam will sit out two weeks for a shoulder change. Scott Drinkwater has been shifted into the no. 6 jersey in his place. The Devils will be hoping to bounce back after going down to Redcliffe last weekend. They kept things tight in the first half and led 6-4 at the break, before the Phins were able to pull away in the second. However, Norths don't have the best recent record at home and have lost their last 2 home games. The visitors however do have history on their side and have won the past two games between the two sides.
Easts Tigers v Souths Logan Magpies
Suzuki Stadium, Langlands Park on Sunday, May 28 - 3pm
Referee: Peter Gough
Assistant Referee: Michael Gordon
Head-to-Head: Easts 29 Souths Logan 12
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #TIGESvSLM
The Tigers were pushed hard last weekend in their win against Tweed Heads and will have to be on their toes against a Souths Logan side that posted their fourth 40+ score last weekend in defeating the Northern Pride. However, the Magpies will face the Tigers minus a number of their stars, with Travis Waddell, Jaydn Su’A and George Fai all earning call-ups to the Brisbane Broncos, while Joe Boyce has also been named on their extended bench. The Tigers have the upper hand in this rivalry and have won the past six games between these two sides and will be looking to continue that run. The Magpies have worked hard to perform well this season and have won four of their five away games played this year. All signs point to a hard-fought game.
*Statistics provided by Brad Tallon
