Intrust Super Cup Round 8 Preview
It a big Anzac Day weekend of rugby league for the Intrust Super Cup Round 8, with the now traditional match at Pizzey Park between the Bears and the Hunters being one of the highlights. High flying Redcliffe and Sunshine Coast meet in the other big match up.
But as last weekend proved, anyone can beat anyone in this year’s Intrust Super Cup, and the two north Queensland sides appear under the most pressure heading into Round 8.
With 5 games in the traditional Sunday afternoon timeslot and good weather predicted, there’s a great excuse to get out and catch some of the quality Round 8 action this weekend.
Below is our preview of the Intrust Super Cup Round 8. If you would like to know about a specific match, click on the accompanying links below to go direct to the game.
Or visit our Intrust Super Cup Match Centre, which has full reviews, preview and the all important ladder.
Round 8 kicks off in Mackay as the Cutters welcome the Easts Tigers who share the competition lead. Mackay are much improved from 2016 and their three wins for 2017 is just one shy of all of 2016. But they will need to be on their game for the visit of Easts who arrive on a run of five wins straight. They’ve also knocked off Townsville earlier in the season, which proved they can win in North Queensland.
Saturday night only other game is on the bayside at BMD Kougari as Wynnum take on the Central Capras. Both of these sides are in need of a win, with the Capras winless since Round 4, and the Seagulls one game more. Wynnum weren’t able to hold off the Tigers last weekend despite leading 9-0 at half time in the local derby. Central have beaten Tweed Heads away already this year, so have form away to Seagull sides.
The TV Game is an interesting one which will see the Souths Logan Magpies at home to the Ipswich Jets. Ipswich got their second win of the season in Cairns last weekend, after breaking a five game losing streak. But they come up against a side winning and in great points scoring form. The Magpies have put on 40 points or more in their last 3 games. Their success comes at a price as the Broncos pinch the very in form Joe Ofahenguae for Friday night. Ipswich too have some points in them, so this could be plenty entertaining on Sunday afternoon.
The game of the weekend is arguably the one at Dolphin Oval between Redcliffe and the Sunshine Coast. The Falcons will be looking for revenge as their impressive march through the 2016 finals was ended one game short of the Grand Final by the Dolphins. Sunshine Coast are looking even better in 2017 and are the joint competition leaders with fellow Storm feeder club Easts. They replaced Redcliffe at the top who loss narrowly in Port Moresby in a tight arm wrestle against the Hunters. Could it be a Grand Final preview?
Being it is Anzac Day weekend, there’s the now traditional clash between the Burleigh Bears and the PNG Hunters and based on previous clashes at Pizzey Park it won’t fail to entertain. Burleigh, who were winless until Round 6 come into the clash on the back of two wins in a row, and the last being in Townsville against the Blackhawks in a show that the 2016 premiers are back. There’s still a long way to catch up, but a win against the high flying Hunters will help. PNG come into the game on the back of defeating competition heavyweight and Burleigh’s 2016 grand final opponent in Port Moresby last weekend.
The two northern sides meet on Sunday afternoon at Bishop Park as the Devils of Brisbane meet the Pride from Cairns. The Devils were leading the competition two rounds ago, but two losses in a row, the most surprising was last weekend’s loss to the previously winless Tweed Heads Seagulls. The in form Kodi Nikorima missing from both clashes. The Pride are struggling, and lost at home to the similarly struggling Ipswich Jets last weekend. They have just the two wins from the first seven games, and will need to upset the Devils to get 2017 back on track.
A rare Sunday afternoon game in Townsville which will see the Townsville Blackhawks welcome the Tweed Heads Seagulls. The Blackhawks will be hoping it won’t be consecutive losses at home to Gold Coast based sides, as Townsville were upset by Burleigh last weekend, to make it three losses from their last four. At the other end of the ladder is the Tweed Heads Seagulls who come into the game after opening their 2017 account by beating the previously high flying Norths Devils.
You can follow the action, results and ladder from Round 8 and all the rounds via our Intrust Super Cup Match Centre.
Intrust Super Cup Round 8 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
Easts Tigers
Wynnum Seagulls
Souths Logan Magpies
Redcliffe Dolphins
Burleigh Bears
Norths Devils
Townsville Blackhawks
Scott Sattler – Channel 9 and Penrith Legend
Easts Tigers
Wynnum Seagulls
Ipswich Jets
PNG Hunters
SC Falcons
Norths Devils
Townsville Blackhawks
Dan White – Northern Queensland Contributor
Mackay Cutters
Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Souths Logan Magpies
SC Falcons
PNG Hunters
Norths Devils
Townsville Blackhawks
Matt Crowhurst – Tigers TV
Easts Tigers
Wynnum Seagulls
Souths Logan Magpies
PNG Hunters
Redcliffe Dolphins
Norths Devils
Townsville Blackhawks
Shannon Meyer – Contributor
Easts Tigers
Central Capras
Souths Logan Magpies
Redcliffe Dolphins
PNG Hunters
Norths Devils
Townsville Blackhawks
HOW ARE WE TIPPING?
| Tipster | CORRECT | GAMES | % | Last Weekend |
| Scott Sattler | 34 | 49 | 69% | 4 |
| Shannon Meyer | 31 | 49 | 63% | 4 |
| Brendan O Farrell | 29 | 49 | 59% | 3 |
| Matt Crowhurst | 29 | 49 | 59% | 3 |
| Dan White | 25 | 49 | 51% | 3 |
