Intrust Super Cup Round 12 Preview

As the NRL hibernates into Origin mode with just the four games, the Intrust Super Cup Round 12 provides a full book of 7 games featuring all 14 teams and there are some great clashes ahead.

6 of the top 7 teams face off against ach other this weekend, with only competition leaders Redcliffe Dolphins facing a match from the bottom half of the table.

A clash between the Intrust Super Cup’s newest sides is one of those highlights in Port Moresby between the Hunters and the Blackhawks. The other top match ups see Norths take on the Sunshine Coast, and neighbours Easts Tigers and Souths Logan Magpies meet.

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.

Ipswich Jets v Wynnum Seagulls
Saturday 3pm

Wynnum Seagulls arrive in Ipswich to take on the Jets on the back of their first win since Round 3, and it was a good one over the struggling Burleigh Bears. It was also after the first byes of the season, as the PNG Hunters also won last weekend, it will be worth keeping an eye on teams after the bye as they become more regular as the season wears on.

Ipswich meanwhile, saw a winning run of four ended by the Hunters last weekend, and had they not made so many mistakes they may have even upset them. Down by 8 with enough minutes to go, they bombed a couple of good chances. PNG responded with two tries. Both sides need the win to stay in touch with the top 6.

Mackay Cutters v Burleigh Bears
Saturday 6pm

The 2016 Premier’s 2017 season appears to be slipping away stranded on two wins from 11 rounds, and the Burleigh Bear’s visit to the Mackay Cutters won’t make life much easier. The Cutters may have lost their last two, but both were gallant defeats against competition hotshots Redcliffe and Sunshine Coast away from home. A return home to play Burleigh may be just the game to get back in the winner’s circle and turn that decent form into competition points.

The Bears have played well enough in 2017 at times, but have not got the results, although the 28-4 loss to Wynnum at home was not one of their best. The Bears would be getting close to being no hope for finals football if a third win isn’t achieved this weekend.

Central Capras v Northern Pride
Saturday 7pm

Saturday evening’s final game is in Rockhampton between the Central Capras and Northern Pride. The Capras were unlucky not to win last weekend, and putting it less politely, were robbed of an impressive victory in Townsville. A draw is still OK, and a precious point secured, but knocking off Townsville at Jack Manski Oval would have been a big scalp for a team which had been handed several hidings by the Blackhawks.

Northern Pride lost at Davies Park to Souths Logan 42-28, in a game that saw 60 more points than the Pride’s 6-4 win the previous week over Tweed Heads. Another game where both sides need to go on a winning run soon to stay in finals contention.

Tweed Heads v Redcliffe Dolphins
Sunday 1:40pm – TV GAME

The TV cameras head south to Piggabeen for the match between Tweed Heads and Redcliffe – two teams that bookend the Intrust Super Cup Round 12 ladder. Tough gig for Tweed Heads to improve on their one win for the season with the visit of the all conquering Dolphins, but there have been signs that a second win may not be far away. They took an early lead against the Tigers last weekend, and have some NRL experience in the side in William Zillman and Eddy Pettybourne.

Redcliffe have quality all over the park, and although they have lost a few to the Broncos for the ridiculous first week of Origin affected NRL matches (one being no less than Benji Marshall), they should on paper have enough to continue their winning ways on top of the Intrust Super Cup.

Norths Devils v Sunshine Coast Falcons
Sunday 3pm

A very interesting clash awaits at Bishop Park on Sunday as the Norths Devils attempt to keep pace with the front runners of the competition, and they play one of those in the shape of the Sunshine Coast Falcons.

It is the first home game for Norths in five weeks, and that last result at home was a loss to the Northern Pride. Norths are in a bunch of teams around the bottom of the Top 6, and they will prove they are worthy to stay there if they can knock off the Falcons. Big name signing Chris Sandow has not been named again after he was dropped a few games ago for missing training. He has not been back since.

The Sunshine Coast have been very impressive so far in 2017, building on the outstanding finals series of 2016. They trail leaders Redcliffe and PNG by just one point, and their only loss since Round 2 was against the Dolphins.

Easts Tigers v Souths Logan Magpies
Sunday 3pm

Two Brisbane sides not far from each other geographically and on the ladder in Souths Logan and Easts Tigers meet at Davies Park in a great clash of two sides well in finals contention. just the one point separates the two sides, and both have benefited from having some great NRL fringe players as part of their set up in 2017.

But with the Magpies aligned to the Broncos, they are worse affected this weekend with a load of players named in the extended squad. Easts meanwhile, are aligned with Melbourne who don’t play this weekend, so they keep the very bright prospect of Brodie Croft in the halves and Curtis Scott amongst others, and have that advantage.

PNG Hunters v Townsville Blackhawks
Sunday 3pm

The two newest teams of the Intrust Super Cup have established a great rivalry in their short history in the competition, and for the first time the Hunters go into this fixture as strong favourites.

That is because the PNG Hunters are in some real form at the moment and share the competition lead with Redcliffe. Playing Port Moresby will also be to the Hunters’ advantage, as the Blackhawks are yet to beat them there.

However the Blackhawks have been much better on the road this year with just the one loss, compared to their run of just one win in their last five in Townsville.

Waiting for them though will be Willie Minoga, returning from suspension, and with something to prove after missing out on the Pacific Test for the Kumuls and the great win over Ipswich last weekend.

You can follow the action, results and ladder from Round 12 and all the rounds via our Intrust Super Cup Match Centre.

Intrust Super Cup Round 12 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
Mackay Cutters
Central Capras
Redcliffe Dolphins
Norths Devils
PNG Hunters
Easts Tigers

Scott Sattler – Channel 9 and Penrith Legend

Ipswich Jets
Mackay Cutters
Central Capras
Redcliffe Dolphins
PNG Hunters
Easts Tigers
Sunshine Coast Falcons

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

Ipswich Jets
Mackay Cutters
Central Capras
Redcliffe Dolphins
Sunshine Coast Falcons
PNG Hunters
Souths Logan Magpies

Matt Crowhurst – Tigers TV

TBA

Shannon Meyer – Nothing But League Contributor

Ipswich Jets
Mackay Cutters
Central Capras
Redcliffe Dolphins
PNG Hunters
Easts Tigers
Sunshine Coast Falcons

HOW ARE WE TIPPING?