Intrust Super Cup Round 11 Preview

It could be a wet and wild Intrust Super Cup Round 11, with the threat of a rain event hanging over most of the Queensland coast, but that shouldn’t dampen the enthusiasm for some great match ups this weekend.

The highlight will be the clash of two of the most entertaining teams in rugby league between Ipswich and the PNG Hunters, but a northside derby between two top 6 sides in Redcliffe and Norths also appears a good one.

But there’s plenty more than just those, and we have a quick rundown of them all below.

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 off with a bang as two of the competition’s entertainers will no doubt put on another show in the Ipswich Jets v PNG Hunters opener. This is a game circled on the calendar when the draw comes out, it is usually entertainment plus, with the Jets and their unique style of football and the PNG Hunters playing it their way too. The recent upturn in form of the Jets combined with the Hunters strong form in 2017 makes this one even more mouth watering than usual. A win for the Jets will make it five in a row and may just get themselves in the top 6, the Hunters need to stay in touch with the Dolphins at the top. If this game is half as entertaining as the 2015 edition, which featured just about everything, then it is worth the effort to get along.

Another tough road trip awaits the Mackay Cutters as they play the Sunshine Coast Falcons. The Cutters did very well in one of the toughest tests in the Intrust Super Cup last weekend – a 14-6 loss to competition leaders Redcliffe – and will need to continue that form if they are any chance against a side who is only one competition point behind Redcliffe and an almost identical for and against. The Falcons are really shaping up as a genuine  threat to win this competition this year, and they would expect to win this match on paper, but the 2017 Intrust Super Cup season has proved not to rule anything out.

A rare TV game in Townsville sees the Townsville Blackhawks welcome the Central Capras on Sunday afternoon. There is beginning to be a little unrest in Townsville after another home loss (read more in the full match preview), and they are in danger of a rare tumble outside of the top 6 since their admission to the competition in 2015. Central Capras third last position may be a little unfair as they have been competitive throughout 2017, and have been quite good away from home. Two of their three wins have come on the road, and there have been some good performances away also, like their loss to the Easts Tigers two rounds ago. A year ago this is a sure fire Townsville win, but 2017 has been a different year. Although with the firepower the Blackhawks have in comparison they could come out and win by 40. Tune into Channel 9 on Sunday afternoon to find out which way it goes.

A real boon for rugby traditionalists as the final four games for the weekend are being played at the 2pm Sunday afternoon timeslot. The first of which is the Souths Logan Magpies v Northern Pride clash. Souths Logan turned around a couple of bad results with a surprising but no less deserved win in Townsville last weekend. They’ll be looking to make it two northern Queensland scalps in consecutive weeks too, with a win giving them every chance to leapfrog from seventh into the top 6. Northern Pride got a win last weekend in a low scoring, one try a side match against last placed Tweed Heads. They will need to repeat that resilience against the powerful Souths Logan side to be any chance. They have beaten fellow Brisbane hotshot Norths in Brisbane in 2017.

Two recent former Champions meet this weekend and find themselves both struggling in 2017. This Sunday’s Wynnum v Burleigh match sees two sides that have just five wins between them from the first 10 rounds. Burleigh have just two wins, and those came a few rounds ago, but that is nothing on the Wynnum Seagulls poor run of results lately. The Seagulls have not won since Round 3, but have had the luxury of a bye last weekend, and the international break the week before. No other side comes into their Round 11 game with such a break, so if that isn’t enough to turn around the form then they may join the two Gold Coast sides as teams unlikely to feature in finals in 2017.

A mouth watering northside Brisbane derby awaits at Dolphin Oval as competition leaders Redcliffe Dolphins welcome the rejuvenated Norths Devils. Norths had been one of the surprise packets early on in 2017, even leading the competition before a run of losses, but their back to back wins over Easts last weekend and in Mackay the round before has seen them jump back into the Top 6. The Devils will need all their best form to beat a Redcliffe side that have the upper hand on recent head to head clashes, and who lead the competition with arguably the best forward pack and backline in the competition.

Rounding out the quadruple bunch of 2pm games is the Tweed Heads Seagulls v Easts Tigers clash. Easts Tigers have now lost two of their last three games, and with the top teams so close, another loss this weekend could see them drop out of the Top 6. That loss looks unlikely against a Tweed Heads side that has won only the once in 2017. Thy have recently announced former NRL players Kevin Campion is joining the coaching staff, and he may prove a lucky charm for a side that desperately needs it.

You can follow the action, results and ladder from Round 11 and all the rounds via our Intrust Super Cup Match Centre.

Intrust Super Cup Round 11 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 O’Farrell and Channel Nine’s expert commentator Scott Sattler.

Brendan O’Farrell – CEO Intrust Super

Ipswich Jets
Sunshine Coast Falcons
Townsville Blackhawks
Souths Logan Magpies
Burleigh Bears
Redcliffe Dolphins
Easts Tigers

Scott Sattler – Channel 9 and Penrith Legend

PNG Hunters
Sunshine Coast Falcons
Townsville Blackhawks
Souths Logan Magpies
Wynnum Seagulls
Redcliffe Dolphins
Easts Tigers

Dan White – Nothing But League’s Northern Queensland and NRL Contributor

PNG Hunters
Sunshine Coast Falcons
Townsville Blackhawks
Souths Logan Magpies
Burleigh Bears
Redcliffe Dolphins
Easts Tigers

Matt Crowhurst – Tigers TV

PNG Hunters
Sunshine Coast Falcons
Townsville Blackhawks
Souths Logan Magpies
Wynnum Seagulls
Redcliffe Dolphins
Easts Tigers

Shannon Meyer – Nothing But League Contributor

PNG Hunters
Sunshine Coast Falcons
Townsville Blackhawks
Souths Logan Magpies
Burleigh Bears
Redcliffe Dolphins
Tweed Heads Seagulls

HOW ARE WE TIPPING?