PREVIEW: Intrust Super Cup Round 12
Whilst the NRL takes its Origin enforced mid-season hibernation, the Intrust Super Cup serves up a Six Pack of the finest this weekend.
Featuring in the Round 12 are some big clashes up the top of the table as Townsville visit Easts and Burleigh check out the improvements at Dolphin Oval. Two of the competition’s great entertainers in Ipswich and the PNG Hunters meet at Ipswich.
Elsewhere there’s a bunch of games featuring the fringe sides around the top 6 as the Pride welcome Souths Logan, Norths take on Tweed Heads at Bishop Park, and the Central Capras play the Wynnum Seagulls.
The match by match previews are below.
SEAGULLS HOST HOT CAPRAS
by Dan White
Wynnum Manly have been putting together a number of wins recently and will be facing off against the CQ Capras that defused the powerful PNG Hunters in an ISC Classic last weekend.
I like a team that is consistent and the Seagulls have shown some with four wins on the trot as well as the all-important bye round. Barr, Oden, Gubb and Templeman have all found the try-line with a frequency that should upset a coach as they should be picking apart their scoring to put in a better defensive plan. The Capras have been impressive but not as consistent but they do look to be building towards the finals.
This game will be a mid-table classic. Both are coming in with some wins on the board, both are showing up their oppositions with good defensive efforts and some exciting attacking options, and both have the mix of experience and youth that make you love the game.
Templeman vs Morseau is hard to ignore. Both players are in form and have been key reasons behind their victories. Same can be said about the Fullbacks Baker and Ogden.
This game will be worth the entry fee and should be close. I think the Capras will fall short, but mainly due to the combination of being away, and their last two games have been against tough top sides in the Blackhawks and Hunters. Sometimes it is harder to get yourself fired up after two bruising encounters. I would be pleasantly surprised by a Capras win but for mine, the money would be on Wynnum Manly to take the points with a 24 -18 victory.
Quick Stats
Wynnum Seagulls v Central Capras @ BMD Kougari Oval
Kick Off – Saturday 6pm
Last Year – Wynnum 36 Central 14 / Central 16 Wynnum 34
ENTERTAINERS GO HEAD TO HEAD IN IPSWICH
by Shannon Meyer
If this game is half as good as last year’s fixture then fans at North Ipswich Reserve and at home on Channel 9 / Win are in for a real treat this Sunday. I was at the game, and it was surely the most exciting games of rugby league of any grade that I attended in 2015.
The difference in this year’s clash and last year’s, but the same between both clubs is that both of these sides aren’t in the greatest form this year compared to last. PNG Hunters have lost 2 of their last 3, and the Ipswich Jets have lost 7 in a row, and are second last on the ladder. But, that shouldn’t, and probably won’t stop a lot of action in Ipswich this weekend.
The reigning premiers have had injuries this season, and the question remains is whether it is the injuries or that people have worked out their style of play. PNG Hunters have also lost a few games of late, and will be keen to bounce back this weekend. Their problem is that penalties and errors allows their opposition to get on top. Hunters won’t need much to turn it around but without cleaning up their act, they may give the Jets a confidence boost to their year.
Quick Stats
Ipswich Jets v PNG Hunters @ North Ipswich Reserve
Kick Off – Sunday 1:40pm
Last Year – Ipswich 14 PNG 32 / PNG 40 Ipswich 28
TV Game on Channel 9 and WIN
CHALLENGERS FOR THE TOP GO HEAD TO HEAD AT DOLPHIN OVAL
by Shannon Meyer
Redcliffe and Burleigh are two sides who have of history of success in the intrust Super Cup, so recent seasons without finals would be disappointing to these clubs who crave success.
Many predicted Redcliffe to improve in 2016, going by the pre season tips and money on the wagering sites, and they have compared to last year as they sit in 5th and five points behind the leaders. But very few would have predicted the Bears to be running so high (2nd and 2 points behind Townsville) as the mid point of the season approaches.
As mentioned previously, the Bears are on a run of 6 games in which they face all of the other current top 6 teams, plus the premiers. Their record thus far? Just 3 wins and a draw from 4 games, a run worthy of a finals bound team. Revenge will be on their minds too, as the Dolphins embarrassed them 64-10 at Pizzey Park last year.
Redcliffe are missing the excellent Luke Capewell, but thankfully the entertainment lost there will be made up by winger Curtis Johnson, one of the more intense players in the Intrust Super Cup.
Quick Stats
Redcliffe Dolphins v Burleigh Bears @ Dolphin Oval
Kick Off – Sunday 2:00pm
Last Year – Redcliffe 18 Burleigh 32 / Burleigh 10 Redcliffe 64
CAN THE TIGERS END BLACKHAWKS RUN?
by Dan White
Top of the Table Blackhawks head south missing two key players to face up to the inconsistent but definitely dangerous Easts Tigers. As a Cowboys fan, we thank the Blackhawks for Hughes and Thompson, but they will be missed as Hughes has definitely earned his promotion to cover for Morgan.
The Tigers walloped the Jets last weekend, however this was coming off the bye and the Jets have not been the same team as last year. At home they are always competitive and will be hoping the shuffling of the Blackhawks is enough to give them an edge. That and the fatigue factor for the Blackhawks who have yet to have a bye and while they have just finished a nice run of home games, every away game is a greater challenge. To me the size of the Tigers side that was named for this game is the issue. Sipple has named 20 and is this due to injury or individual form that has him playing a guessing game.
Billy Walters faces up to Kyle Laybutt and both are more than just five eighths in this contest. Both are kicking the ball with solid accuracy and it may come down to successful conversions when the whistle blows. The battle between the Locks will also be interesting as Lorenzo Maafu was key in the construction of many of the scoring plays by the Blackhawks and Dean Britt is also in some form.
The Blackhawks are a class above most of the competition but the Tigers are not to be lightly dismissed, they sit fourth on the table for a very good reason. In a tight match, I think it should be the Blackhawks by about 8 points. Final Score Blackhawks 32 Tigers 24.
Quick Stats
Easts Tigers v Townsville Blackhawks @ Suzuki Stadium, Langlands Park
Kick Off – Sunday 2:00pm
Last Year – Easts 40 Townsville 40 / Townsville 40 Easts 14
Live Stream – http://thetigers.com.au/tigertv-live/
DEVILS IN THE DETAIL FOR SEAGULLS CLASH
by Shannon Meyer
This is a clash which doesn’t immediately jump out of the page at you, two sides in the lower half of the ladder, both looking unlikely to make the 8 on current form and ladder position, but it just may well be one of those great, traditional Sunday afternoons in the pleasant surrounds of Bishop Park.
The Seagulls meet the Devils on a good day, as Norths lose a few of their best players to the Broncos due to the NRL side’s Origin commitments, whereas the Seagulls have no similar issue as their feeder club have a bye this weekend.
Both sides need the win, as the difference between finals hope and also ran is widening.
Quick Stats
Norths Devils v Tweed Heads Seagulls @ Bishop Park
Kick Off – Sunday 3pm
Last Year – Norths 22 Tweed Heads 40 / Tweed Heads 34 Norths 10
PRIDE LOOK TO CEMENT TOP SIX SPOT AGAINST MAGPIES
by Dan White
The Pride went down to the Bears whilst Souths Logan had a draw against the Falcons. Both teams are sitting in the middle of the table and both are desperate to maintain contact with the top half teams for some September action.
The Pride showed some fight in their loss to the Bears and will be more confident heading back to Cairns for this match. The loss of Javid Bowen will be important but losing one player is like an injury and teams at this level should be able to cover the loss of one player, regardless of their form.
Souths Logan have been a tipster’s nightmare, after a solid win over the Devils, they were held to 16 points in a dour match that left you wondering what they could actually achieve. Their lack of tries after putting up 42 points the week before was worrying and they were fortunate that they drew the penalty that gave them the draw.
Jack Joass facing up against Linc Port as the final line of defence is an interesting feature. Port has been patchy but when he is good, he is very exciting. Joass has been in and out and in a different position, and so he may either be exposed or bring the needed boom for the backline to adjust their scoring ways.
Tuimavave lines up opposite Ben Spina and this should also provide for some fireworks as the two forward packs look to offer some drive to help out the back lines.
Pride should be the better side in this matchup, but they are lacking consistency and without Bowen, they may well lack the penetration to get the points required for the win. Magpies are also lacking scoring power (at times) and they did let in four tries last week and were saved by the kickers on both sides. Home ground should be worth two points.
Quick Stats
Northern Pride v Souths Logan Magpies @ Barlow Park
Kick Off – Sunday 3pm
Last Year – Pride 36 Souths Logan 18 / Souths Logan 17 Pride 8 in Tully.
BYE – Sunshine Coast Falcons, Mackay Cutters
TIPSTERS TIME
MATT PRITCHARD (Editor) (41/67)
Capras, PNG, Burleigh, Easts, Tweed Heads, Pride
DAN WHITE (North Queensland Correspondent) (43/67)
Wynnum , PNG, Blackhawks, Bears, Devils Pride
SHANNON MEYER (SEQ + PNG Correspondent) (36/67)
Wynnum, PNG, Redcliffe, Easts, Tweed Heads, Pride
SCOTT SATTLER (Channel 9 + Penrith Legend) (40/67)
Wynnum, Ipswich, Burleigh, Townsville, Norths, Pride
MATT CROWHURST (Tigers TV) (39/67)
Wynnum, Ipsiwch, Redcliffe, Easts, Tweed Heads, Pride
| Pos. | Team | Pld | W | D | L | BYE | DIFF | PTS |
| 1 | Townsville Blackhawks | 11 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 212 | 19 |
| 2 | Burleigh Bears | 11 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 72 | 17 |
| 3 | PNG Hunters | 10 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 52 | 16 |
| 4 | Easts Tigers | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 72 | 15 |
| 5 | Redcliffe Dolphins | 10 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 96 | 14 |
| 6 | Northern Pride | 10 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 28 | 12 |
| 7 | CQ Capras | 10 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 1 | -48 | 12 |
| 8 | Sunshine Coast Falcons | 11 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 0 | -1 | 11 |
| 9 | Wynnum Manly Seagulls | 10 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 1 | -25 | 10 |
| 10 | Tweed Heads Seagulls | 10 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 1 | -69 | 10 |
| 11 | Souths Logan Magpies | 11 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 0 | -23 | 9 |
| 12 | Norths Devils | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 1 | -106 | 9 |
| 13 | Ipswich Jets | 11 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 0 | -67 | 6 |
| 14 | Mackay Cutters | 11 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 0 | -193 | 2 |
