Coming into Round 8, the big talking point was David Fifita’s much anticipated debut for the top four Ipswich Jets against a winless Northern Pride side. A blowout was expected, but Rugby League has a penchant for defying expectations, as the Northern Pride upset the in-form Jets, 32-0.
Zac Herdegen and Thomas Duffy controlled the game in the halves, with Braidon Burns at his damaging best in the centres, crossing for one try, assisting another and busting 8 tackles as he proved his strike capabilities for the Pride.
Elsewhere in North Queensland, the Townsville Blackhawks were looking for their sixth win in a row against a Sunshine Coast Falcons outfit who were buoyed by Nelson Asofa-Solomona in the front-row.
The kiwi international showed his class, breaking the advantage line with every run and crossing for a crucial four-pointer in the first half.
His Melbourne Storm teammate Lazarus Vaalepu also had a day out running for 140 metres, as the Falcons were simply too big and too strong in the middle as they held off a fast-finishing Blackhawks side for a big upset in Townsville.
Further south in Rockhampton, the Central Queensland Capras bounced back from last week’s defeat, as they prevailed over the Brisbane Tigers in a heated affair.
Conor Rothery’s move from fullback to the wing paid dividends, as the metre-eating outside back crossed for a double while halfback Blake Moore had a brilliant performance of his own.
Capras’ centre Nixon Putt also continued his rich vein of form, running for almost 200 metres and breaking seven tackles while also contributing a try assist.
Burleigh Bears fullback Lachlan West was able to break the double century of metres, running for 216 metres as he propelled the Bears to a narrow win over the Mackay Cutters.
West wasn’t the only outside back with impressive metreage however, as the Bears’ back five contributed 868 metres in total, with Josiah Karapani running for 215 metres at centre.
Just down the road in Piggabeen Sports Complex, the Tweed Seagulls dominated the Western Clydesdales 36-12 at home.
Even with usual starters Zane Harrison and Sam Stephenson playing in the Mal Meninga Cup semi-final, the Seagulls still performed exceptionally well, with five-eighth Paull Rau-Turner stepping up in Harrison’s absence.
Jay Kirk more than made up for Stephenson’s clinical try scoring ability, with Kirk crossing for a hat-trick and racking up 175 metres gained.
The final match of last weekend took place in Port Moresby, with the PNG Hunters keeping pace with the Wynnum Manly Seagulls for most of the match, before streaking away in the final five minutes of the match to win 30-12.
Scoring all six of their tries via their outside backs, the Hunters were prolific out wide.
Brandon Nima bagged a hat-trick on one wing, while Solo Wane secured a brace on the other wing, also running for 230 metres.
Star five-eighth Gairo Voro extended his purple patch of form, assisting two tries in silky fashion.
HOSTPLUS CUP ROUND 8 Part 1 RESULTS
SATURDAY MAY 3
Burleigh Bears 30 def Mackay Cutters 26 at UAA Park, Gold Coast
Sunshine Coast Falcons 36 def Townsville Blackhawks 30 at Jack Manski Oval, Townsville
Central Queensland Capras 34 def Brisbane Tigers 20 at Rugby Park, Rockhampton
SUNDAY MAY 4
Tweed Seagulls 36 def Western Clydesdales 12 at Piggabeen Sports Complex, Tweed Heads
Northern Pride 32 def Ipswich Jets 0 at North Ipswich Reserve, Ipswich
PNG Hunters 30 def Wynnum Manly Seagulls 12 at Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
