Ipswich Jets v Mackay Cutters
North Ipswich Reserve on Saturday, August 19 - 3pm
Referee: Michael Gordon
Head-to-Head: Ipswich 12 Mackay 6
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #JETSvMC
This weekend’s sole Saturday match will see the Ipswich Jets face off against the Mackay Cutters in a battle between two teams that found good form too late to press for a finals berth. After a three-game unbeaten run, the Cutters were brought back to earth last weekend with a loss to the Burleigh Bears, while the Jets freshened up with a bye following their Round 22 loss against PNG. There is still plenty to play for however, with pride on the line for both clubs. “It’s really important we finish the year off well,” Cutters coach Steve Sheppard told the club’s media. “We’ve won nine and lost 10 and we want to make sure we win more than we lose this year; so it’s a good test during the next two weeks.” The Jets come into this match having won four of the past five games between these two sides. They have also been successful in their past four home games in general. Mackay however have only the one win and one draw from their past eight away games.
Tweed Heads Seagulls v Northern Pride
Piggabeen Sports Complex on Sunday, August 20 - 1.40pm* (Live on Channel 9)
Referee: Jarrod Cole
Assistant Referee: Ben Watts
Head-to-Head: Pride 11 Tweed 9
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #THSvPRIDE
Season 2017 has been a tough one for both clubs – with injuries and what ifs ravaging their year. While the Seagulls are in a fight to avoid the wooden spoon; there have been some highlights for them, including their upset wins over minor premiership contenders Redcliffe and Hunters. The Pride will be ruing the wins that have slipped them by, with five of their losses this season being by a converted try or less. The last time these sides met was a low-scoring affair in Round 10 where the Pride earnt themselves a 6-4 win. While the Pride have won the past six games played against the Gulls; they have also lost their past six away matches, and will be aiming to arrest that slide. The Gulls too are in a poor patch of form, having lost their past six matches and 13 of their past 14 home games. Although named earlier this week, they will be without forward Ben Nakubuwai who made his NRL debut with the Titans last night. This weekend, Pride five-eighth Jordan Biondi-Odo will play in his 50th Cup game, all for the NQ club. Tweed Heads centre James Wood with 107 is still one try behind Nathanael Barnes for most tries for the Seagulls and most tries for a single club in Cup history.
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Souths Logan Magpies v CQ Capras
Davies Park on Sunday, August 20 - 2pm
Referee: Chris Anderson
Assistant Referee: Tyson Brough
Head-to-Head: Souths Logan 21 Central 18 Drawn 2
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #SLMvCQC
The Magpies would have put last weekend’s poor showing against the Tigers behind them and will be aiming to get back on track at home against the Capras. Their error-riddled performance was punished by their fellow finals-bound competition, with three of their poorly executed passes directly resulting in Tigers tries. While they were missing much experience in the middle with a number of key forwards not playing, coach Jon Buchanan would have been disappointed in their handling. However, it was a good wake-up call for a side who will be wanting to sharpen up before September rolls around. The Capras have every reason to lift for this game as they will be fighting to stay off the bottom of the Intrust Super Cup ladder. However, they have a poor record against the Magpies who have won eight of the past nine games between these two sides. In an interesting fact; this will be the first match between the sides at Davies Park since 2004. Souths Logan won that game, but lost the other eight matches against the Capras at Davies. The Magpies defeated CQ at Brandon Park in 2007 and Meakin Park in 2008, although their home games against the Capras since then have been played at regional venues.
PNG Hunters v Wynnum Manly Seagulls
National Football Stadium on Sunday, August 20 - 3pm
Referee: Nick Pelgrave
Head-to-Head: PNG 4 Wynnum 2
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #PNGvWYN
There is plenty on the line for the PNG Hunters in this game, as a win over the Wynnum Manly Seagulls on Sunday will see them secure a maiden minor premiership. The Hunters – who entered the Intrust Super Cup in 2014 – have been a strong force in the competition, but have previously faltered at finals time. While the Seagulls have won their past two away games (against Capras in Round 18 and Redcliffe in Round 19); they have a challenge on their hands to topple the Hunters who have found a renewed focus in recent weeks. The Hunters have only lost one of their past nine matches at National Football Stadium (to Tweed Heads in a major upset) and also recorded a draw against the Cutters. They have also have won the past three games played against Wynnum Manly and have claimed the honours in all three games played against them in PNG. In impending milestone news, Hunters skipper Ase Boas (on 182 points) requires nine more to overtake Noel Zeming for most points in a season for the club. Zeming scored 190 in 2015.
Burleigh Bears – bye
Easts Tigers – bye
Norths Devils – bye
Redcliffe Dolphins – bye
Sunshine Coast Falcons – bye
Townsville Blackhawks – bye
*Statistics provided by Brad Tallon
