Round 3 preview: Bears and Tigers meet for 50th match

Sunshine Coast Falcons v Ipswich Jets
Head-to-head: Ipswich Jets 13, Sunshine Coast 6, drawn 2
Hashtags: #intrustsupercup #SCFvJETS
Broadcast: Kayo Saturdays via Kayo Freebies

• Ipswich is coming off two losses to start the season, but the Jets will be up for this game following an emotional week in which the club paid tribute to the late Tommy Raudonikis.
• The Jets have a great record at this venue, with the Sunshine Coast having only won one of the past seven games between these two sides at Kawana, with one drawn match.
• Sunshine Coast got the job done in their round two win over the Magpies without their Melbourne Storm contingent. In an ominous sign for the Jets, the likes of Cooper Johns, Tyson Smoothy, Darryn Schonig and Trent Loiero are all named to return.
• Key Falcon Todd Murphy (854) needs two points to pass Jamal Fogarty to move to ninth on the all-time Cup points scorers list.

Tweed Seagulls v Souths Logan Magpies
Head-to-head: Souths Logan Magpies 18, Tweed Seagulls 17
Hashtags: #intrustsupercup #TWEEDvSLM

• Both teams have opened their 2021 campaigns with a win and a loss. However, Tweed have won the last two games between these sides and will be hard to topple on the coast.
• With Piggabeen out of action, Tweed will welcome another match at Tugun, where they have won the two previous encounters at the ground.
• For the Magpies, Kobe Hetherington is a big inclusion at lock, while former international Karmichael Hunt has been named at centre.
• Tweed has a host of inclusions, including former Australian Schoolboy Toby Sexton who will play halfback.
• Brayden McGrady also makes his first appearance for the Seagulls in almost three years. McGrady, who spent time in the Penrith Panthers NRL system, will replace the injured Ryland Jacobs who is out indefinitely with a compound fracture to his finger.

Norths Devils v Townsville Blackhawks
Head-to-head: Townsville Blackhawks 6, Norths Devils 2
Hashtags: #intrustsupercup #DEVILSvTSVB

• This top-of-the-table clash promises to be one of the highlights of the round with both teams set to roll out classy outfits.
• Exciting young Bronco Brendan Piakura gets a start in the back row, where he will go up against an imposing forward pack which includes the NRL experienced Sam Hoare, Josh Chudleigh and Tom Gilbert who is returning from injury.
• Devils recruit Jon Reuben (94) enters the game one try short of Shane Perry, who sits in 10th spot on the all-time try-scoring list.
• Townsville’s Carlin Anderson (278) requires five points to overtake Reuben (282) and become the Blackhawks' top point scorer.

Redcliffe Dolphins v Central Queensland Capras
Head-to-head: Redcliffe Dolphins 36, CQ Capras 7, drawn 2
Hashtags: #intrustsupercup #PHINSvCQC

• Redcliffe have an opposing recording against the Capras, having won the past 10 games between these two sides with an average margin of 35 points.
• Central Queensland's last win at this ground was in 2009, although they did manage a draw in 2014. The Capras are in fact coming off a Round 2 draw against the Northern Pride, in an excellent performance that will place them in good stead for this assignment.
• Young Redcliffe winger Will Patridge - who played well in their Round 2 loss to Norths Devils - is unfortunately out for the season after tearing the tendon in his pec off the bone. 
• Dolphin Shane Pumipi, who was a late inclusion last week, brought up his 50th Cup game for Redcliffe in his first Cup game since 2017.

Northern Pride v Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Head-to-head: Northern Pride 12, Wynnum Manly Seagulls 11
Hashtags: #intrustsupercup #PRIDEvWYN

• Both teams are undefeated following the opening two rounds of the Intrust Super Cup, with the Seagulls recording two close wins and the Pride notching an impressive Round 1 win against Sunshine Coast Falcons before being held to a draw by Central Queensland Capras in Round 2.
• The Seagulls have a number of key ins for the team this week, headlined by captain and halfback Sam Scarlett who is set to make his first appearance of the season.
• There has been plenty of changes in the Pride line-up for this match, with young North Queensland Cowboys Jake Clifford returning to the club where he made his name. Speedy winger Shawn Bowen has also been named in the side.
• Wynnum Manly have won three of the past four games played between these two sides at Barlow Park.

Mackay Cutters v PNG Hunters
Head-to-head: PNG Hunters 5, Mackay Cutters 2, drawn 2
Hashtags: #intrustsupercup #CUTTERSvPNG

• The PNG Hunters have been forced to make a change to their winning outfit for their clash against the Cutters with second rower and vice-captain Keven Appo to miss the game after he was suspended for two matches. His place will be taken by Emmanuel Waine, with Judah Rimbu coming onto the bench.
• Mackay will welcome back the experience of big forward Emry Pere into their starting pack.
• The Cutters have been unlucky to start the season, losing two close games. They will be hoping to break their streak which has seen them lose their past seven games overall. The Cutters have also lost their past seven home games.
• However, it will be a tough ask against the Hunters who have two wins and a draw from their past three games in Mackay.

Brisbane Tigers v Burleigh Bears
Head-to-head: Burleigh Bears 26, Tigers 2, drawn 2
Hashtags: #intrustsupercup #TIGESvBEARS
Broadcast: Intrust Super Sundays via Kayo Freebies, 9Now, QRL.com.au, Intrust Super Cup app and Intrust Super Cup Facebook.

• This is a milestone game of its own and will be the 50th time the two clubs go head-to-head. In the Intrust Super Cup, this will be only the fourth Cup rivalry to reach 50 games.
• Burleigh joined the winners circle last round and will be pushing to build on their recent record against the Tigers where they have won three of the past four games played against them, including two of the past three played at Totally Workwear Stadium.
• The Tigers will be working to get out of their recent rut which has seen them lose five of their past six home games.
• The Bears however have a strong away record and have secured four wins in their past five matches away from home.
• This will be the 50th Cup game overall for Tigers lock Bennett Leslie (main image from 2019) who previously played with Mackay Cutters.

*Statistics by Brad Tallon

This weekend, the Intrust Super Cup will introduce the 18th player rule.