Some of Queensland rugby league’s most famous and fierce rivalries will explode this weekend across Round 3 of the Hostplus Cup.
And that can only mean one thing – XXXX Rivalry Round is upon us.
All seven matches have a touch of spice about them, starting with the blockbuster between the Redcliffe Dolphins and Wynnum Manly Seagulls on Saturday.
Four more fixtures round out the Saturday extravaganza – the Western Clydesdales go head to head with the Sunshine Coast Falcons, Townsville Blackhawks lock horns with Northern Pride, Souths Logan Magpies take on Norths Devils; and the Central Queensland Capras rumble with Mackay Cutters.
Sunday is also set to sizzle, with the Burleigh Bears taking on old foe Tweed Seagulls; and Brisbane Tigers up against the Ipswich Jets.
It is only fitting that such an epic round of footy has the backing of XXXX, whose iconic partnership with the Queensland Rugby League now spans more than three decades.
At Kayo Stadium, the Dolphins and Wynnum Manly Seagulls will add another chapter to their storied rivalry.
Redcliffe holds the upper hand in the head to head Cup stakes, having won 35 matches compared to Wynnum’s 23.
In milestone news, the Round 3 clash will be Kalolo Saitaua’s 100th Cup match, with the Seagulls forward having previously played for Norths and Souths Logan.
The showdown between the Clydesdales and Falcons in Toowoomba is a relatively new rivalry, with the Sunshine Coast getting the upper hand in their two previous encounters.
A wet surface at Jack Manski Oval is expected to make for a challenging 80 minute duel between the Blackhawks and Pride.
The Pride have won the past five games between these two sides, but they come up against a motivated Blackhawks outfit who will be determined to give hooker Jayden Hodges something to celebrate in his 100th Cup match.
Kalifi Faifai-Loa last week became the second player to reach the 100-game milestone for the Blackhawks behind Kyle Laybutt (105).
Traditional Brisbane rivals Souths Logan and Norths will do battle at Marsden, where the Magpies will go on the hunt for their first win of the season.
The Devils, who have won seven of their past eight games against the Magpies (with one draw), are coming off a strong win over the Clydesdales.
The Round 3 clash between the Capras and Cutters is also shaping up to be a beauty, with both teams desperate for victory after near misses last week.
While Mackay has the advantage in the head to head stakes (20 wins compared to CQ’s 11), the Capras have won three of the past four games between the teams.
A physical clash is on the cards at UAA Park on the Gold Coast when Burleigh host Tweed.
Burleigh holds a superior overall record (24 wins compared to Tweed’s 15), but the Bears have now gone seven games without a win following a tough finish to their 2024 campaign.
After the wash out in Round 1 and a bye last weekend, the Jets are finally ready for take off against the Tigers, who drew 26-26 with the Capras.
