ROUND 14 PREVIEW
Ipswich Jets v Norths Devils
North Ipswich Reserve on Saturday, June 10 - 3pm
Referee: Tyson Brough
Head-to-Head: Norths 24 Ipswich 16 Drawn 2
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #JETSvDEVILS
The spotlight will shine on Bronco Ben Hunt when he plays for the Ipswich Jets in their Round 14 clash against the Devils. Dropped from the Broncos line-up to play the Rabbitohs, the Dragons-bound playmaker will instead turn out for the Jets in their must-win clash against the Devils. Both teams are locked on 12 competition points (three points outside sixth place) and can ill-afford to drop another game here. The Devils accounted for the Jets 32-10 earlier this season – their first win over Ipswich in six games. In milestone news, Ipswich prop Tyson Lofipo will play his 150th game for the club and winger Richard Pandia his 50th. Norths are coming off a 40-18 loss to the competition leading PNG Hunters, while the Jets will be looking to hit back after falling to the Sunshine Coast Falcons last weekend.
Burleigh Bears v CQ Capras
Pizzey Park on Saturday, June 10 - 4pm
Referee: Michael Gordo
Assistant Referee: Dan Munroe
Head-to-Head: Burleigh 31 Central 10
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #BEARSvCQC
The Central Queensland Capras have had the wood on Burleigh in recent years, and Kim Williams’ charges will be looking to record another win over the Bears when they travel to the Gold Coast on Saturday. CQ took the honours in their Round 3 clash earlier this year (12-10) and have won eight of the past 12 games between the two sides. After lifting the 2016 Intrust Super Cup, the Bears haven’t had a lot go their way this year and with only one win from six home games, a semi-final berth appears a long way off. They still have a potent line-up which includes former Queensland Residents star Henare Wells and ex-NRL forward Matt White. Despite a two-try effort from inspirational Capras skipper Guy Williams, the Capras let one slip away last weekend against Tweed and will be playing to keep their season alive.
Wynnum Manly Seagulls v Tweed Heads Seagulls
BMD Kougari Oval on Saturday, June 10 - 6pm
Referee: Ben Watts
Head-to-Head: Wynnum 19 Tweed 15
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #WYNvTHS
Both Seagulls teams have struggled for consistency this year and will be viewing this game as an opportunity to kick start their campaigns. Although they occupy last spot on the ladder, the Tweed has found some form of late and will fancy their chances of taking down Wynnum on their home patch. Led by a double from Peter Lee, the Seagulls to come away with a gutsy 36-28 victory. Titan Eddy Pettybourne led the Seagulls go forward with some strong surges, and his battle with rival Wynnum Manly big men Mitchell Frei and Aaron Rockley will go a long way to deciding the winner here. Wynnum took the spoils over Tweed 24-18 in their first encounter this year. Tweed has not won at Kougari since 2013, although Wynnum have endured a lean patch of late as well after dropping their past four games at home.
Mackay Cutters v Townsville Blackhawks
BB Print Stadium Mackay on Saturday, June 10 - 6pm
Referee: Nick Pelgrave
Head-to-Head: Townsville 5 Mackay 0
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #MCvTSVB
Another traditional chapter in this north Queensland rivalry will played out tomorrow night between Mackay and Townsville. The Cutters are still on a high following their last-gasp win over Wynnum Manly last weekend and will be looking to go back-to-back for the first time this season. Townsville too have recently pulled their way out of a mini-slump and following a strong win over Redcliffe las weekend. Mackay have never beaten the Blackhawks in five attempts, with the visitors earning an impressive 60-12 win when the two sides met back in Round 3. However, the margin in games played in Mackay has been much smaller, with both of Townsville’s wins there being only two points difference. This match will warm rugby league fans in the area up for a special arrival late this week, with the XXXX Queensland Maroons touching down in Mackay on Tuesday for their annual Regional Fan Day.
Sunshine Coast Falcons v Northern Pride
Sunshine Coast Stadium on Sunday, June 11 – 1.40pm*
Referee: Jarrod Cole
Assistant Referee: Belinda Sleeman
Head-to-Head: Pride 10 Sunshine Coast 8
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #SCFvPRIDE
Things are getting critical for the Northern Pride who despite staying in the game with some gritty performances in recent weeks – have not been able to find a way to win. What better way to turn their fortunes around than to get the better of the high-flying Sunshine Coast? The Falcons come into this game with some strong form and have won their past five home games. The Pride however have lost five of their past six games played away from home. Named on an extended bench by Pride coach Ty Williams, outside back Khan Ahwang is the Pride’s highest point scorer so far this season with five tries and 24 goals for a total of 68 points. He required just two more to bring up a tally of 500 points scored in the Cup competition. Named at fullback this week for the Falcons, Matthew Soper-Lawler is equal fifth on the Leading Try Scorers ladder for the competition, with 10 to his name so far this season.
Redcliffe Dolphins v Easts Tigers
Dolphin Oval on Sunday, June 11 - 2pm
Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Head-to-Head: Redcliffe 28 Easts 17 Drawn 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #PHINSvTIGES
After spending the past few weeks at the top of the Intrust Super Cup ladder – the Dolphins have hit a road block in the past few rounds and have lost two games in a row for the first time this season. The first was an incredible upset win to Tweed Heads who nabbed their then second win of the season in Round 12, while last weekend they were downed by a Townsville outfit looking to make amends following a record loss the weekend before in PNG. The Dolphins are back at home this weekend and have a challenge on their hands in the form of the Easts Tigers. The Coorparoo club have won four of their past five away games and also have beaten Redcliffe in two of the past three games played at Dolphin Oval. Having taken the honours 18-10 in their encounter at Suzuki Stadium (Langlands Park) earlier this year, Easts will be aiming to spoil the Phins recent strong record at home which has seen them take the points in 12 of their past 13 games.
PNG Hunters v Souths Logan Magpies
National Football Stadium on Sunday, June 11 - 3pm
Referee: Tim Rutherford
Head-to-Head: PNG 7 Souths Logan 0
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #PNGvSLM
As well as being an exciting match-up between two in-form teams; this game also has the special honour of being the 3000th Cup game to be played. While the Magpies come into this match with nine wins to their name as opposed to the 10 wins so far this season – the head-to-head ready is not pretty for Souths Logan fans. The Hunters have claimed the victory in all seven of their past games – however, the gap is narrowing. The past two games played between the sides – including Round 3’s result at Davies Park – have been incredibly close, with the Hunters just managing two-point victories. The run of form from both teams into this game sets this up to be a showcase of skills from teams filled with confidence, with the Hunters looking to claim their seventh win in a row and the Magpies after their fifth victory on the trot. In milestone news, representative centre Scott Doyle has been named to play in his 50th Cup game this weekend – all of them for Souths Logan.
*Statistics provided by Brad Tallon
