Intrust Super Cup Round 9 Preview

Last weekend of the Intrust Super Cup proved anything can happen in this competition, and just about any side can beat the other on any given day.

Both of the joint competition leaders ended a 5 game winning run, their places taken by Redcliffe and PNG Hunters who recorded good wins. Ipswich, Central, Mackay and Northern Pride all had upset victories too.

Will the Intrust Super Cup Round 9 follow the script? Probably not based on the season so far, but with a bye next weekend for the international weekend, all teams will be looking to head into the break with a win.

As for the players, a lot of the talent from the Intrust Super Cup will feature throughout next weekend, either in the Residents game v NSW, or for any of the nations involved in the Pacific Tests.

Or visit our Intrust Super Cup Match Centre, which has full reviews, preview and the all important ladder.

The first game of the weekend see the last two premiers of the Intrust Super Cup meet when Ipswich Jets and Burleigh Bears clash at North Ipswich Reserve. Ipswich are getting their 2017 season back on track with two straight wins away from home. Burleigh’s run of two wins was ended rudely by the PNG Hunters on Sunday. Ipswich are yet to win at home in three attempts though.

A rare Saturday afternoon fixture in Port Moresby sees the PNG Hunters take on the Northern Pride in the Intrust Super Cup’s most northerly clash. The Hunters arrive in hot form after toughing it out against Redcliffe two weeks ago, they easily beat Burleigh for Anzac Day and sailed into second on the ladder as a result. Their opponents from Cairns, the Northern Pride, had a much needed win against Norths Devils last weekend, but taking on a Hunters side in form in Port Moresby is as tough as it gets in this competition.

At Suzuki Stadium the Easts Tigers welcome the Central Capras, and will be wary of the Rockhampton based team’s great win over their local rivals Wynnum last weekend. Easts run of five straight wins came to an end in Mackay last weekend, but with the quality in their squad, including the QLD Residents starting halves, they should have too much for the Capras.

Wynnum take on the Townsville Blackhawks on Saturday evening, and they are desperate need of a win. Having now lost three in a row at home, and five in a row overall. The Blackhawks weren’t in that great form themselves before last weekend with three losses in four. However the beat the Tweed Heads Seagulls by 30 points in Townsville, and they should go back to back against Seagulls sides in consecutive weeks.

The TV cameras head north and out of Brisbane for a change as Mackay get their chance to shine for the TV audiences against the Norths Devils. Mackay surprised many and the Easts Tigers last weekend with a great win, and will be keen to double down against a Norths side that haven’t won since Kodi Nikorima went to fill in at the Broncos. They have dropped from competition lead to outside the Top 6 as a result.

New Competition leaders Redcliffe Dolphins welcome Souths Logan Magpies in a game of two in form sides that are Broncos feeder clubs. Despite the positions on the ladder, the Magpies are the team to supply more players to the NRL side, and they have recently lost Joe Ofahenguae to the Broncos. Redcliffe won the clash of the top three sides last weekend against the Falcons last weekend, and did it with a quick burst of tries in each half. More of the same will see them hand down a second consecutive loss to Souths Logan, although they have plenty of points in them too.

Two winning runs came to an end last weekend as the Sunshine Coast lost their first game in five weeks and Tweed Heads weren’t able to back up the only win of the season in Townsville. The Tweed Heads v Sunshine Coast game on paper looks an easy one for the Sunshine Coast, but given the amount of upsets in 2017 this season, maybe not.

You can follow the action, results and ladder from Round 9 and all the rounds via our Intrust Super Cup Match Centre.

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

Brendan O’Farrell – CEO Intrust Super

Ipswich Jets
PNG Hunters
Easts Tigers
Townsville Blackhawks
Mackay Cutters
Redcliffe Dolphins
Sunshine Coast Falcons

Scott Sattler – Channel 9 and Penrith Legend

Burleigh Bears
PNG Hunters
Easts Tigers
Townsville Blackhawks
Mackay Cutters
Redcliffe Dolhpins
Sunshine Coast Falcons

Dan White – Northern Queensland Contributor

Ipswich Jets
PNG Hunters
Easts Tigers
Townsville Blackhawks
Mackay Cutters
Redcliffe Dolphins
Sunshine Coast Falcons

Matt Crowhurst – Tigers TV

Ipswich Jets
PNG Hunters
Easts Tigers
Townsville Blackhawks
Mackay Cutters
Redcliffe Dolphins
Sunshine Coast Falcons

Shannon Meyer – Contributor

Ipswich Jets
PNG Hunters
Central Capras
Townsville Blackhawks
Mackay Cutters
Redcliffe Dolphins
Sunshine Coast Falcons

HOW ARE WE TIPPING?