The Intrust Super Cup returns after the International break with 6 matches to make up Round 10.
Not that all ofย the Intrust Super Cup players had the week off, with the best players of the Queensland based competition taking on the best from NSW’s Intrust Super Premiership. Queensland got revenge on NSW from 2016 with a big 36-6 win over the Blues at Suzuki Stadium which is hopefully a sign of things to come for the big show starting soon. It also showed just how good the quality of the Queensland competition is. Imagine in 2018 when the Under 20’s join the program.
The Intrust Super Cup was also well represented in the Pacific Tests series Triple Header, with most of those players coming from the PNG Hunters.
But onto the Intrust Super Cup Round 10 preview now, and we have a short run down of all the games for this weekend, with a more detailed report available if you follow the links to each specific match. Or visit our Intrust Super Cup Match Centre for all the games, scores and ladder.
The weekend starts in Townsville as it so often does, and the Blackhawks seem to have got over their earlier blip in form of three losses in four matches with two straight wins. Souths Logan have unfortunately done the opposite with two straight losses, including a big 40 point loss against Redcliffe last start, stalling an impressive start to the season. The Blackhawks v Magpies game should still be full of quality with both teams supplying players for the Residents clash last weekend, and have plenty of players knocking on the door of the respective NRL feeder clubs.
The next game is a little further north in Cairns as the Northern Pride welcome the Tweed Heads Seagulls. It hasn’t been a happy 2017 for either team with just four wins between them, three for the Pride who have just one win form four in Cairns, and the solitary victory for the Seagulls two rounds ago. Tweed Heads finally broke their duck for the season in Round 7, but any thoughts of a turnaround have been dashed with two losses of a combined total of 88 points in the following two games. They sit bottom of the ladder whilst the Pride are a little higher up in 11th.
Still in the northern half ofย Queensland on Saturday evening it is the match in Rockhampton between the Central Capras and the Ipswich Jets. Ipswich Jets are the form team heading into the match on a run of three straight wins, which came just in time to save their season after losing five straight from Round 2. They have climbed to 8th, just one win outside the Top 6. Central Capras current 12th place is probably a little harsh on the Capras who have been good in 2017, home form is a little worry with just one win from four in Rockhampton.
Rounding out the North Queensland sides is the final match of Saturday night at Dolphin Oval as the Mackay Cutters take on the Redcliffe Dolphins. Tough gig for the Cutters taking on the Dolphins who are the competition leaders, but they proved two rounds ago that they can match it with the best teams when they upset the Easts Tigers. But defeating the best attacking and defensive side at home may be too tough a task. Redcliffe are looking stronger each week, and should beat the Cutters on Saturday night.
The TV Game on Sunday afternoon sees the 2016 Premiers Burleigh Bears take on the Sunshine Coast Falcons, a team who are given every impression they can be the 2017 premiers. Burleigh lost 18-12 to the 2015 Premiers last time out, and will be hoping the Falcons don’t have the taste of Gold Coast blood after the Falcons thrashed the Tweed Heads Seagulls 58-0 in Round 9. Although Burleigh lie second last, their form hasn’t been that bad at all and an upset may not be too ridiculous to consider, and they did beat Townsville in Townsville a few rounds ago.
The final game of the weekend sees more Sunday afternoon action at Langlands Park between the Easts Tigers and the Norths Devils. Norths Devils looked to be letting a great start to 2017 slip away, but they halted the slide in Round 9 when they surprised the Mackay Cutters with a big win in the TV Game in Mackay. Eastsย got a hard fought win over the Capras last time got them back on track after a loss ruined their run of five straight wins.
The PNG Hunters and Wynnum Seagulls have a bye this weekend.
You can follow the action, results and ladder from Roundย 9 and all the rounds via our Intrust Super Cup Match Centre.
Intrust Super Cup Roundย 9 Tips from the Team
How much of an expert are our experts? Find out and follow our tips below. This year we have no less than the CEO of Intrust Super Brendan OโFarrell and Channel Nineโs expert commentator Scott Sattler.
Brendan OโFarrell โ CEO Intrust Super
Townsville Blackhawks
Northern Pride
Ipswich Jets
Redcliffe Dolphins
Sunshine Coast Falcons
Easts Tigers
Scott Sattler โ Channel 9 and Penrith Legend
Townsville Blackhawks
Northern Pride
Central Capras
Redcliffe Dolphins
Sunshine Coast Falcons
Easts Tigers
Dan White โ Northern Queensland Contributor
Townsville Blackhawks
Northern Pride
Central Capras
Redcliffe Dolphins
Sunshine Coast Falcons
Easts Tigers
Matt Crowhurst โ Tigers TV
Townsville Blackhawks
Ipswich Jets
PNG Hunters
Mackay Cutters
Redcliffe Dolphins
Sunshine Coast Falcons
Easts Tigers
Shannon Meyer โ Contributor
Townsville Blackhawks
Northern Pride
Ipswich Jets