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Hostplus Cup Round 2 preview

Round 2 of the 2023 Hostplus Cup season will be headlined by the highly-anticipated grand final rematch, as 2022 premiers Norths Devils host Redcliffe Dolphins at Bishop Park.

In a round of exciting clashes, Northern Pride will play their first game of the season against northern rivals, Mackay Cutters, while Brisbane Tigers and the Dolphins will get the opportunity for a full proper hit out after their Round 1 clash was cancelled four minutes in due to extreme weather conditions.

Here is your Round 2 'stats pack' with all of the numbers you need to know for this weekend's games, courtesy of Brad Tallon, as well as your coaches thoughts on the weekend ahead.

Hostplus Cup Round 2

Mackay Cutters v Northern Pride

Head-to-head: Pride 18, Mackay 8

Last meeting: Mackay 24 def Pride 22 in Round 3, 2022

Broadcast: Qplus.tv 

  • Mackay have won two of the last three meetings between these two sides
  • Despite their recent record against the Pride, Mackay have lost their last three games overall. Meanwhile, the Pride have lost three of their last four away games
  • Cutters forward Hiale Roycroft will celebrate his 50th Cup game in this clash. He has notched up these appearances at four clubs, having played for Norths Devils, Tweed Seagulls, Central Queensland Capras and Mackay Cutters

A word from the coaches

Mackay Cutters coach Michael Comerford: The first 35 minutes of our Round 1 game, anyone watching it would agree it was a pretty tight arm wrestle. The scores were level and then the intercept try right on half-time, I thought we handled that in itself quite well. We created a couple of opportunities to score points leading into half-time but the first 10 minutes after half-time, Wynnum took the momentum from the way they finished that first half into the start of the second half and we weren't able to go with them. They blew us away in that period there and from that point on, once the scoreline gets to that in such a quick time, you're trying to get back into the game and it doesn't result in your best footy. There were a couple lessons learned in game management for our spine and that's the best thing about it. We get that lesson Round 1 and we're able to have some key areas to improve on moving forward. We have to be a bit more patient with the footy in hand and that will put us in better spots to finish our sets. We did that for a fair chunk of the game on the weekend but when we went away from it, it hurt us. That is the lesson and what we'll look to dial into this weekend.

Northern Pride coach Ty Williams: It was interesting to have the bye in Round 1 but when the draw had come out, we adjusted our training regimes accordingly. We had a fairly heavy session on the Saturday morning (of Round 1) in the heat so we don't miss the jump this weekend. This game is fairly exciting for our squad. It's been a long time since we haven't had any North Queensland Cowboys-allocated players so it's created opportunities for guys in our footprints. I have nine debutants who have the honour to wear the Northern Pride jersey this weekend. That excites us. The nine boys will perform at a high level. When it comes to Mackay, I had a look at their Round 1 game briefly and only briefly because it's only the first couple of rounds, so first we have to focus on ourselves and then I know they're a different beast at their home ground. After getting beaten by nearly 40 points, we'll get a different opponent in Mackay this week. 

Ipswich Jets v Sunshine Coast Falcons

Head-to-head: Ipswich 13, Sunshine Coast 9, drawn 2

Last meeting: Sunshine Coast 48 def Ipswich 18 in Round 6, 2022 

Broadcast: Qplus.tv

  • Sunshine Coast have the upper hand between these two sides, with four wins and a draw from the last five meetings. The Falcons have also won the last two - and three of the last four - clashes between these two sides at North Ipswich
  • Sunshine Coast have lost their last two away games

A word from the coaches

Ipswich Jets coach Ben Cross: From last week, I'm frustrated we didn't capitalise on a few opportunities that Souths presented us. We had 10 errors and they had 17 and we couldn't capitalise on good field position and our defence through the middle had to be stronger. We had to look at that this week coming up against Sunny Coast. Our biggest concern is not standing our ground through the middle. We have to improve that with the big forward pack Sunshine Coast have. They also have some class in their halves, especially if Jayden Nikorima is there. If they also have (Sualauvi) Faalogo at the back and he's a big handful. We have to really be good on those two and be strong through our middle.

Sunshine Coast Falcons coach Brad Henderson: Last week the effort was great in what was really, really difficult conditions. It was extraordinarily hot. I haven't ever seen anything like that. So, I was proud of the effort but we were untidy with the football. We made sixteen errors so we were always defending and while we were brave in defence, they got us at the death. There's heaps to take out of it. We're made of good stock, we don't go away and we compete hard but we make a few too many errors. If we can tidy that up, it will help us coming up against the Jets. We have to control what we can control and that's the football. One thing I know about Ipswich is they can put points on you if you give them enough opportunity, especially with both Denzel and Gerome Burns, and Lachie Cooper. We have to be really sharp.

Western Clydesdales v Tweed Seagulls

Head-to-head: Tweed 5, Clydesdales 2, drawn 1

Last meeting: Clydesdales 32 def Tweed 24 in Round 12, 2006

Broadcast: Qplus.tv

  • The Clydesdales - formerly known as the Toowoomba Clydesdales - won the last two games between these two sides
  • Tweed have lost their last three away games

A word from the coaches

Western Clydesdales coach Jason Alchin: From Round 1, we take away that it was a great effort. We came back a little bit there in the second half but we have a lot to learn as a team and as individuals. Other than that I'm very proud and very excited for what's coming ahead. Coming up against Tweed this week, we're both coming off a loss so both sides are looking for a win. The Seagulls are affiliated with the Titans NRL club, so they have some good quality players all over the park. They made the semi-finals last year, they're a top eight club, so we're just worrying about ourselves. Every game in this competition is going to be hard and this week is no different so we have to be on our game. If we're not, they'll sure damn show us if we're not.

Tweed Seagulls coach Dave Penna: We did a 12-hour trip in Round 1 that should have only taken us two (hours) so it was a long day, but that's no excuses. We let ourselves down in a couple of departments. We played really well for 40 minutes last week but you need to be consistent for 80 minutes. We had a good chat around what we’re doing. We want to work hard early and front-load our energy. Every week we're trying to be consistent and get better at the things we need to get better at. We’re hoping to get that one step better all the time. Coming up against the Clydesdales, they played for 80 minutes last week. They ran hard, tackled hard. They’ll get better. For a new team, blokes that haven't played together, they did a really good job.

Souths Logan Magpies v PNG Hunters

Head-to-head: PNG 13, Souths Logan 3

Last meeting: PNG 26 def Souths Logan 22 in Round 11, 2022

Broadcast: Qplus.tv

  • PNG have won seven of the eight games played between these two sides at Davies Park
  • Souths Logan have seven losses and a draw from their last eight home games
  • PNG have won two of their last three away games

A word from the coaches

Souths Logan Magpies coach Karmichael Hunt: It was pleasing to win in Round 1 but it wasn't our cleanest or most pleasing performance. We got through relatively injury free and most importantly, winning the contest even when we didn't play our best. With 17 errors we were lucky enough to get the win but I have been harping on about how 17 errors against really good teams isn't going to cut it. We need to be better with the ball and I know conditions would have played a part last week, but we need to be better. PNG are very physical, we know what they're going to come with, and we have match that intensity and effort.

PNG Hunters assistant coach Paul Aiton: Last week wasn’t the cleanest of wins but we're happy to walk away from it with two points, especially being the Clydesdales' first game back into the competition. The main thing we take into the game against Souths Logan is that we have a game under the belt for our new Hunters. It's not only their first time overseas but also their first time at this level of footy and I believe they held their own.

North Devils v Redcliffe Dolphins

Head-to-head: Redcliffe 33, Norths 16, drawn 2

Last meeting: Norths 16 def Redcliffe 10 in the 2022 Hostplus Cup grand final

Broadcast: Qplus.tv, 9Now and Kayo Freebies

  • As these two sides prepare for the grand final rematch, Norths will take confidence from the fact they have won three of the last four games between these two sides at Bishop Park
  • Norths have won four of their last five home games while Redcliffe have won five of their last six away games
  • Dunamis Lui will celebrate his 50th Cup game this weekend. The Redcliffe Dolphins skipper has notched up this milestone across both the Dolphins and this weekend's opponent, Norths Devils

A word from the coaches

Norths Devils coach Dave Elliott: On review from last week, we just need to be better defensively. That's really broad but we gave up 16 points and managed to get ourselves back into the contest last week against Burleigh. Our focus for the next month will certainly be defence-orientated. I haven't been here that long but I certainly know about the rivalry between Norths and Redcliffe and I'm expecting a pretty physical encounter. We'll be looking to get our first two points of the year. Reddy will come over and enjoy getting to play a full match where two points is on the line. I expect it to be a really tight, physical contest.

Redcliffe Dolphins coach Ben Te'o: Last week's cancellation was a new experience for myself, for the players. They'd never been part of that or seen that. It was a freak weather event and so we just move on. We've left that game behind and we've moved onto the next one really quick. There's not too much to review so we take it as a real positive that it was an opportunity for us to get together because we don't get to get together all the time (between NRL players and Cup players). We played Norths not long ago in a trial and got a little taste of them. The teams have had some really good battles in the recent past, obviously with the grand final. But it's two new coaches, new players coming in, lots of players have left since the grand final. It's a new season, a new ball game.

Brisbane Tigers v Wynnum Manly Seagulls

Head-to-head: Wynnum 26, Tigers 24, drawn 1

Last meeting: Wynnum 32 def Tigers 22 in Round 11 2022

Broadcast: Qplus.tv

  • Wynnum Manly have won the last five - and six of the last seven - games between these two sides, including the last two at Totally Workwear Stadium
  • Tigers have won three of their last four home games
  • Wynnum have lost their last four away games

A word from the coaches

Brisbane Tigers coach Matt Church: Last week's cancellation is obviously something beyond our control and that's what I said when they called the game off. I said we have to be ready to adapt and overcome and that's what this week has been about. We had 12 debutants last week and it can be a let down not getting to play so we tried to remain positive and upbeat this week. Wynnum Manly have a really good spine of players who control the game. We're going to have to negate that and they do that work off the back of their forwards and outside backs. We have to contain them before we give ourselves the best chance against Wynnum.

Wynnum Manly Seagulls coach Mat Head: The best thing from us in week one is we saw a fair bit of stuff we'd done in our pre-season, in our trials. It was really exciting they could play the second half like they did but the first half is somewhere we need some improvement. The big thing for us is our completion rate and discipline. It wasn't up to the standard we hold ourselves to. This season when we're playing regular footy against opponents that will hold the footy, we need to do that ourselves. Hopefully if we see some improvements, we'll have another good weekend.

Townsville Blackhawks v Central Queensland Capras

Head-to-head: Townsville 9, Central Queensland 1, drawn 1

Last meeting: Central Queensland 22 def Townsville 16 in Round 11 2022

Broadcast: Qplus.tv

  • Townsville has five wins and a draw in the six previous meetings between these two sides at Jack Manski Oval
  • Townsville have won three of their last four home games
  • Capras hooker Trey Browne will notch up his 50th Cup game this week. All 50 of his appearances have been for Central Queensland

A word from the coaches

Townsville Blackhawks coach Aaron Payne: It's always good to get the first win under your belt, for a couple reasons. Obviously it eases the pressure straight away. More importantly, it's a good reward for all your hard work in the off-season. I know it's only a Round 1 win but it feels like a good reward. It was really tough conditions and Sunny Coast are a good footy side. There's some areas we need to be a bit better at but we were happy enough to take the two points and some learnings. What we took away is that we put too much pressure on ourselves with too many errors. As far as Central Queensland go this week, they're a really good side and will only get boosted by their Dolphins NRL players returning. All their Dolphins played really well for the Capras last week. They're a tough, gritty side. They showed that last year and continued it last week. They don't give you much. 

Central Queensland Capras coach Lionel Harbin: I thought it was a tough game in Round 1 and we were in control for the majority of it but Tweed are a good side. They didn't go away and found a way to get it to 22-22. We were fortunate enough to get the field goal at the end. Overall, I thought our kicking game was pretty poor on the weekend and we weren't able to build any pressure on the back of that. It has to be better this weekend. The Blackhawks have big outside backs so we have to better there.

Bye: Burleigh Bears

QRL match review results - Round 1 Hostplus Cup

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Queensland Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

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