After the Easter weekend off, Hostplus Cup competitors are ready to work off some chocolate, with the PNG Hunters and Brisbane Tigers clash one of the most anticipated games.
This is the Hunters’ 250th Hostplus Cup game and they will be looking to secure win 133 in their history and their eighth win over the Tigers.
The Tigers and Hunters both know it is early days, but they would like to be further up the table.
The Hunters have one win over the Western Clydesdales while the Tigers have only one loss, but sit in seventh on the ladder.
The bye weekend probably couldn’t come at a worse time for the Tigers after a great win against the Norths Devils; they would have been hoping to play again and keep the momentum going.
The Tigers started slowly but then settled into their groove and the Devils couldn’t stop the Tigers’ attacking onslaught with five tries in 40 minutes spelling the end for the Devils.
The Tigers did a lot right with the ball and dominated the field and kept giving themselves a great chance of coming up with points.
Tigers’ fullback Zacariah Miles has found a new home at the Tigers and is proving an astute recruit.
Miles scored a try when the Tigers needed it and brought the ball back with interest.
The other Tiger that will be no stranger to the Hunters will be Petero Civoniceva Medal winner from 2024, Judah Rimbu.
The Tigers hooker played 78 games for the Hunters and has topped the Tigers tackle count in three of their four matches this season.
Rimbu hasn’t unleashed his attacking game yet but this week against his former teammates might be the week.
For the Hunters the time is now.
After the Tigers, they play three top six teams in a row, Ipswich, Bears and Falcons so it doesn’t get any easier.
You might as well find some form this week.
The Hunters average loss has been 15 points so they’re certainly not falling apart
What the Hunters have been is like a showbag, who knows what’s inside and the quality of the contents.
Down 22-0 against the Capras at half time, up 20-4 against Wynnum, leading 24-4 against Western Clydesdales and down 16-0 against Redcliffe.
It’s a wild ride watching the Hunters.
The Hunters need to be prepared to win old school this week; if it takes an ugly 8-6 win over the Tigers then so be it; as it’s the two points that matter.
Sanny Wabo is the man for the Hunters, their fullback is the pulse of the team. If Wabo is healthy and running the ball then the Hunters are up and out of bed ready to go.
Sunday’s feature match, presented by National Storage, will be broadcast live and free across Qplus.tv, Kayo and 9Now.
Northern Pride v Mackay Cutters:
* Head-to-Head: Pride 22 Mackay 9
* Last match: 2025 R5: Mackay 16 def Pride 12 (BB Print Stadium)
* Mackay have 2 wins and a draw in their last 3 games
* Pride have won 4 of the last 5 games between these 2 sides
* Pride have won the last 3, and 4 of the last 5, games between these 2 sides at Barlow Park
* Pride have lost 3 of their last 4 home games
* Mackay have lost 3 of their last 5 away games with 1 drawn
Tweed Seagulls v Souths Logan Magpies:
* Head-to-Head: Tweed 21 Souths-Logan 21
* Last match: 2025 R17: Tweed 36 def Souths-Logan 32 (Piggabeen)
* Tweed have 2 losses and a draw in their last 3 games
* Souths-Logan have 2 draws and a loss in their last 3 games
* Tweed have won the last 2 games between these 2 sides
* Tweed have won the last 4 games between these 2 sides on the Gold Coast
* Tweed have won 2 of their last 4 games at Piggabeen with 1 drawn
* Souths-Logan have won 3 of their last 5 away games with 1 drawn
* Souths-Logan last 3 games have been 2 draws and a last minute 2 point loss
* Lindon McGrady (1084) requires 6 points to pass Reggie Cressbrook (1089) to move to 5th in all time cup points scorers
Ipswich Jets v Burleigh Bears:
* Head-to-Head: Burleigh 33 Ipswich 16 Drawn 2
* Last Match: 2025 R14: Burleigh 30 def Ipswich 18 (UAA Park)
* Burleigh have 8 wins and 2 draws in their last 10 games
* Burleigh have won the last 2, and 11 of the last 12, games between these 2 sides
* Burleigh have won the last 6, and 9 of the last 10, games between these 2 sides in Ipswich
* Ipswich have won their last 2 home games
* Ipswich have won 2 of their last 3 away games
* Tony Francis requires 2 tries to bring up 50 in cup
Townsville Blackhawks v Wynnum Manly Seagulls:
* Head-to-Head: Townsville 9 Wynnum 6
* Last Match: 2025 R20: Townsville 34 def Wynnum 12 (Jack Manski)
* Townsville have won the last 2 games between these 2 sides
* Wynnum have won 2 of the last 3 games between these 2 sides at Jack Manski
* Townsville have lost 2 of their last 3 home games
* Wynnum have lost 4 of their last 5 away games
Norths Devils v Central Queensland Capras:
* Head-to-Head: Norths 40 Central 12 Drawn 2
* Last Match: 2025 R23: Norths 36 def Central 16 (Bishop Park)
* Norths 650th cup match - won 346 drawn 21 lost 282
* Norths have won the last 3 games between these 2 sides
* Norths have won the last 2, and 9 of the last 10, games between these 2 sides at Bishop Park
* Norths have won 3 of their last 5 home games, with 1 drawn
* Central have lost 3 of their last 4 away games
* Connor Broadhurst requires 1 try to bring up 50 in cup
Sunshine Coast v Redcliffe Dolphins:
* Head-to-Head Qld Cup: Redcliffe 20 Sunshine Coast 15
* Last match: 2025 R21: Sunshine Coast 32 def Redcliffe 0 (Sunshine Coast Stadium)
* Both teams have won their last 2 games
* Sunshine Coast have won the last 4 games between these 2 sides, including the last 2 at Sunshine Coast Stadium
* Sunshine Coast have lost 2 of their last 3 home games
* Redcliffe have won 2 of their last 3 away games
* 50th game for Redcliffe: Joshua James (57th overall SL/Red)
Brisbane Tigers v PNG Hunters:
* Head-to-Head: Tigers 8 PNG 7 Drawn 2
* Last Match: 2025 R14: Tigers 36 def PNG 16 (Totally Workwear Stadium)
* PNG's 250th cup game - won 132 drawn 7 lost 110
* PNG have won 2 of the last 3 games between these 2 sides
* Tigers have won 5 of the 6 games between these 2 sides at Totally Workwear with 1 drawn
* Tigers have won their last 2, and 4 of their last 5, home games
* PNG have lost 2 of their last 3 away games
