Just because another quality XXXX Rivalry Round is done and dusted doesn’t mean that the upcoming weekend of Intrust Super Cup Round 4 fixtures are lacking in quality either. Hard to think we’re already four weeks in.
Bringing Easter joy to all Intrust Super Cup fans there’s an all Storm feeder club match for the TV audience on Saturday lunch time, a Saturday night cracker between two fancied teams off to slowย start to the season in Redcliffe v Townsville, and for fans in Rockhampton there’s a rare Thursday night clash to get the Easter weekend off to a great start.
Teams with an extra hop in their step are the two undefeated sides that remain after three rounds of the Intrust Super Cup – Burleigh Bears and Norths Devils. Burleigh was named as dark horses heading into the 2018 season, so their place at the top is not much of a surprise. Slightly more of a surprise is the Devils 3 from 3 start, and after seeing off the Magpies last weekend, their quietly confident fans will have more reason to get egg-cited.
Easter puns aside, there is still one team left to win a game in 2018, but thankfully for the Tweed Heads Seagulls they play the only team they didn’t lose to last season this Sunday – the PNG Hunters.
Intrust Super Cup Round 4 Preview
THURSDAY 7pm – CENTRAL CAPRAS v IPSWICH JETS
The Easter Weekend fixtures kick off nice and early with a Thursday night fixture in Rockhampton. The Capras welcome the Ipswich Jets trying to avoid a third consecutive loss, they have lost to Norths at home, but did beat Easts in Round 1. Talking of Easts, the Jets prevailed against the Tigers last weekend, holding on against some relentless Easts pressure late on.
Last Year – Ipswich 44 Central 4
Teams
Central Capras
1. Zeik Foster 2. Ken Tofilau 3. Connor Broadhurst 4. Nathan Bassani 5. Chanel Seigafo 6. Blake Goodman 7. Aaron Teroi 8. Bill Cullen 9. Billy Gilbert 10. Jerry Key 11. Dave Cowhan 12. Dave Taylor 13. Jamie Hill 15. Tyson White 16. Brad Lupi 17. Luke George 18. Phil Nati
Ipswich Jets
1. Michael Purcell 2. Marmin Barba 3. Pio Seci 17. Rory Humphreys 5. Wes Conlon 6. Julian Christian 7. Dane Phillips 8. Tyson Lofipo 21. Kierran Moseley 10. Nat Neale (c) 11. Ben White 12. Seb Pandia 13. Ben Shea 4. Sam Caslick 9. Jayden Connors 16. Rowan Winterfield 15. Isimeeli Hafoka 19. Mitch Carpenter
SATURDAY 1:10pm – EASTS TIGERS v SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS
VIEW: Channel Nine @ 1pm
Clash of the weekend between very good sides, both involved in the Melbourne feeder system, a game worth catching live or on TV on Saturday. The Falcons come into the game on the back of a very good win in the Grand Final rematch last weekend, Easts went down trying to Ipswich but are looking at a 1-3 record if they lose this weekend. Some great match ups await – experience v potential in the props, the next wave of Storm halves in Billy Walters v Ryley Jacks, and Scott Drinkwater plays against his 2017 club at the back against promoted winger Matt Soper-Lawler. Just one point separated the sides in 2 games last season.
Last Year – Sunshine Coast 7 Easts 7 — Easts 17 Sunshine Coast 16
Teams
Easts Tigers
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Linc Port 3. Kea Pere 4. Conor Carey 5. Jarrod McInally 6. Billy Walters 7. Brayden Torpy 8. Dave Tyrrell 9. Chris Ostwald 10. Patrick Kaufusi 11. Jake Foster (c) 12. Brett Greinke 13. Jack Svendsen 14. James Salter 15. Anton Iaria 16. Jarred Tuite 17. Ash Little 18. Harley Aiono 19. Jack Anderson
1. Matt Soper-Lawler 2. Jake Ainsworth 3. Justin Olam 4. Jye Ballinger 5. Keelyn Tuuta-Edwards 6. Brentt Warr 7. Ryley Jacks 18. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Jacob Hind 11. Dane Hogan (c) 12. Christopher Lewis 13. Harrison Muller 14. Lachlan Timm 15. Liam McDonald 16. Louis Geraghty 17. Lachlan Roe 19. Matthew Egan 20. Kurt Aldridge
SATURDAY 4pm – BURLEIGH BEARS v SOUTHS LOGAN
With a long weekend ahead, a few hours at Pizzey Park would be well spent for the undefeated Burleigh Bears clash with Souths Logan Magpies, who only have one loss themselves so far. Burleigh did the job against their Gold Coast rival last weekend, and the Magpies makes it a challenging run of games to start the season, making the undefeated start the more impressive. Coincidentally, both of the Magpies wins this season have come against the same opponents that have lost to Burleigh, and a close loss to Norths last weekend is no shame given they are the only other undefeated side.
Last Year – Burleigh 18 Magpies 19 — Magpies 25 Burleigh 12
Teams
Burleigh Bears
1. Kurtis Rowe 2. Tyronne Roberts-Davis 3. Sami Sauiluma 4. Jamie Dowling 5. Henare Wells 6. Dallas Wells 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Luke Page (c) 9. Pat Politoni 10. Matt White 11. Hayden Schwass 12. Blake Leary 13. Sam Coster 14. Jai Whitbread 15. Josh Ailaomai 16. Matthew Robinson 17. Dylan Kelly
Souths Logan Magpies
1. Corey Allan 2. Cameron Booth 3. Marion Seve 4. Scott Doyle 5. Lenny Magey 6. Guy Hamilton 7. Sam Scarlett 8. George Fai 9. Jordan Scott 10. Sam Lavea 11. Simi Fatafehi 12. Brendon Gibb 13. Patrick Mago 14. Travis Waddell 15. Phil Dennis (c) 16. Uiti Baker 17. Thomas Flegler
SATURDAY 6pm – NORTHERN PRIDE v MACKAY CUTTERS
The Northern Pride could take the early lead in the Foley Shield tri-series this weekend against Mackay, after a surprising win over Townsville last weekend, their first against the Blackhawks ever. Mackay themselves took care of a fellow northern rival when they beat the Capras, and they have a big name in their ranks this weekend as Cowboys premiership winning fullback Lachlan Coote has been named for the Cutters for a hit out in his return from injury. Josh Chudleigh could play his way into a Cowboys utility berth and worth keeping an eye on. Last year’s games went to the away side.
Last Year – Cutters 4 Pride 24 — Pride 18 Cutters 26
Teams
Northern Pride
1. Jack Murphy 2. Murray Taulagi 3. Brett Anderson 4. Enari Tuala 5. Shawn Bowen 6. Todd Carney 7. Jake Clifford 8. Darryn Schonig 9. Ryan Ghietti (c) 10. William Bugden 11. Tom Hancock 12. Nathan Wales 13. Graham Clark 14. Connor Jones 15. David Murphy 16. Emry Pere 17. Troy Kapea 18. Justin Castellaro 19. Jordan Biondi-Odo
1. Lachlan Coote 2. Yamba Bowie 3. Nathan Saumalu 4. Blake Atherton 5. Johnny Faletagoa’i 6. Nicho Hynes 7. Kyle Laybutt 8. Sam Hoare 9. Josh Chudleigh 10. Nicholas Brown 11. Mitchell Dunn 12. Shane Wright 13. Bennett Leslie 14. Jayden Hodges 15. Kellen Jenner 16. Tom Murphy (c) 17. Jordan Grant 18. Leonati Feiloakitau-Fetuani 19. Tyson Martin
SATURDAY 6pm – REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS v TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS
Two of he competition’s heavyweights meet on Saturday night at Dolphin Stadium, both arrive with just one win to their name so far in 2018. Townsville were thoroughly outplayed against the Pride last weekend, scoring just the 6 points, a far cry from the 56 they amassed in Round 1 against Mackay. Redcliffe were looking down the barrel of three straight defeats to start the season, but turned it around with a comfortable win in the end over bay side rivals Wynnum. Whether that is the spark plug for a winning run, we will wait and see. A visiting Townsville side gives a tough enough test to prove it. At least one of these will be stranded on one win after this weekend, making a finals finish just that little bit harder.
Last Year – Redcliffe 18 Townsville 6
Teams
1. Tony Tumusa 2. Jake Sparey 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Moses Pangai 5. Jeremy Hawkins 6. Joshua Fauid 7. Cameron Cullen (c) 8. James Taylor 9. Sheldon Pitama 10. Sam Anderson 11. Toby Rudolf 12. Jamil Hopoate 13. Samson Graham 14. Bailey Butler 16. Tom Geraghty 17. Hugh Pratt 18. Nathan Watts
1. Carlin Anderson 2. Jonathon Reuben 3. Shaun Hudson 4. Kalifa Faifai-Loa 5. Michael Carroll 6. Zach Dockar-Clay 7. Jaelen Feeney 8. Francis Molo 9. Krys Freeman 10. Corey Jensen 11. Jake Marketo 12. Andrew Niemoeller (c) 13. Joe Boyce 14. Rod Griffin 16. Ross Bella 17. Temone Power 22. Sione Lousi
SUNDAY 3pm – PNG HUNTERS v TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS
Few would believe it, but last year’s premiers were unable to beat the second last placed Tweed Heads Seagulls in two attempts. While one of them was in the last regular season game where the Hunters already had the Minor Premiership, the earlier match saw the Seagulls outplay and out-muscle the PNG side. A repeat dose is desperately required for Tweed Heads who are still winless. Although they lost to Burleigh last weekend, the margin deceived the fact that Tweed Heads were in the game for a long time, and only short, sharp bursts of tries were the difference. They might just fancy their chances of a hat trick of Hunters scalps.
PNG faced another bogey team last weekend and came away with a fourth consecutive loss on the Sunshine Coast. The PNG side now have just the first week victory against the Jets at home to their name, but perhaps a return to Port Moresby will bring a return to winning ways. There has been much discussion about the direction of the Hunters squad as they struggle with the post premiership blues, and a good view on this can be found at NothingButLeague by friend of The Gurgler website TigersTV Matt Crowhurst.
Last Year – Hunters 10 Tweed Heads 14 — Tweed Heads 26 Hunters 18
Teams
PNG Hunters
1. Stargroth Amean 2. Edene Gebbie 3. Adex Wera 4. Willie Minoga 5. Brendon Gotuno 6. Ase Boas (c) 7. Charlie Simon 8. Moses Meninga 9. Wartovo Puara 10. Adam Korave 11. Nixon Putt 12. John Andy 13. Rahdly Brawa 14. Watson Boas 15. Baundo Aba 16. Julius Yakopa 17. Muka Peter Kalu 18. Junior Rau 19. Patrick Morea 20. Mekenzie Yei
Tweed Heads Seagulls
1. Alex Grant 2. Kiah Cooper 3. Ryland Jacobs 4. Regan Muir 5. Tevita Folau 6 AJ Brimson 7. Eli Levido 8. Tristan Lumley 9. Sam Meskell 10. Moeaki Fotuaika 11. Lamar Manuel-Liolevave 12. Hiale Roycroft 20. Cheyne Whitelaw (c) 13. Jordan Aiono 18. Sam Saville 19. Jarrod Morfett 15. Beau Cordtz 17. Maia Sands 21. Lindon McGrady
https://nothingbutleague.com/2018/03/27/png-hunters-must-look-forward-not-back/
SUNDAY 4pm – NORTHS DEVILS v WYNNUM SEAGULLS @ Suncorp Stadium
A blast from the past as the Intrust Super Cup gets a game on a regular Sunday at Suncorp Stadium aka Lang Park. Whilst it won’t have the same crowd, status, or legendary players like Fonda Metassa running around as the old Match of the Day from the pre-Broncos era did, the two teams affiliation to the Broncos means this should be an interesting game. Norths are unbeaten, and had a good win last weekend against fellow Bronco feeder side Souths Logan. Wynnum let a lead slip and were ultimately well beaten in the second half by Redcliffe, and have one win from their first three games. Ones to watch in front of a potential future NRL supporters audience are Payne Haas for Wynnum and Norths’ Gehamat Shibasaki who was named in the NRL side’s extended squad.
Last Year – Wynnum 16 Norths 6 — Norths 30 Wynnum 16
Teams
Norths Devils
1. Jack Ahearn 2. Paul Ulberg 3. Gehamat Shibasaki 4. Chevi Ellis 5. Samuel Wright 6. Gary Riccardi 7. Todd Murphy 8. Sam Tagataese 9. Alex Bishop 10. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 11. Michael Sio 12. Guy Williams 13. John Palavi (c) 14. Calum Gahan 15. Carne Doyle-Manga 16. Oshae Tuiasau 17. Troy Dargan 18. Iain Riccardi 19. Moses Noovao-McGreal
Wynnum Manly Seagulls
1. Patrick Templeman 2. Delouise Hoeter 3. Jeriah Goodrich 4. Edward Burns 5. Daniel Ogden 6. Aaron Booth 7. Michael Dobson 8. Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard 9. Mitch Cronin 10. Max Elliott 11. Patrick Carrigan 12. Salesi Funaki 13. Mitch Frei (c) 14. Jayden Berrell 15. Junior Pita 16. Til Vea 17. Payne Haas
Week 4 Predictions
Brendan O’Farrell from Intrust Super and former Queensland Origin star Adrian Vowles join us for 2018.
BRENDAN O’FARRELL – CEO, INTRUST SUPER
Ipswich Jets
Easts Tigers
Burleigh Bears
Northern Pride
Townsville Blackhawks
PNG Hunters
Norths Devils
SHANNON MEYER – ISC WRITER
Ipswich Jets
Easts Tigers
Burleigh Bears
Mackay Cutters
Townsville Blackhawks
Tweed Heads Seagulls
Norths Devils
ADRIAN VOWLES – FORMER SEAGULLS, COWBOYS AND QUEENSLAND REPRESENTATIVE
Ipswich Jets
Easts Tigers
Burleigh Bears
Northern Pride
Redcliffe Dolphins
PNG Hunters
Norths Devils
https://nothingbutleague.com/2018/03/26/review-intrust-super-cup-round-3/
