MACKAY CUTTERS
Mackay won just four games in 2018 and have lost two of their better players to other Intrust Super Cup sides for the upcoming. Nicho Hynes and Jordan Grant have departed. Despite picking up some good talent from the Blackhawks and a few new names from overseas, it is hard to see the kind of improvement that will take them into the top six this season.
The most interesting of the incoming for Mackay in 2019 is the powerhouse forward Sala Falelua-Malio from the Mt Albert Lions in New Zealand, who could provide some real muscle up front for the Cutters. Also flying into Mackay are recruits from the recently relegated Widnes Vikings in the UK Super League Alex Gerrard and Lloyd White. Both have over 100 games of experience from the UK top competition. These three could make up a great front row for Mackay.
Will they and the other newcomers counter the losses of arguably their best and most promising player Hynes? They still have Cooper Bambling in the ranks and as captain in 2019, who provides plenty of quality for Mackay.
Trial Form: Sat 23rd Feb Capras 34 Mackay 10
http://gty.im/805730212
IN AND OUT
GAINS: Paul Byrnes, Ross Bella, Dave Munro, Jordan Kenworthy (Townsville Blackhawks), Marcus Jensen (Townsville Brothers), Otto Wrakonei (Easts Rugby Canberra), Jarrod Brakenhofer (Cootamundra Bulldogs), Tyler Gardiner (Mackay Magpies), Alex Gerrard, Lloyd White (Widnes Vikings), Sala Falelua-Malio (Mt Albert Lions)
LOSSES: Aaron Booth, Bennett Leslie (Easts Tigers), Nicho Hynes, Nathan Saumalu (Sunshine Coast Falcons), Nick Brown, Jordan Grant (Redcliffe Dolphins), Jack Joass (Souths Magpies), Darcy Cox, Jesse Dee, Jared Maguire (MDRL), Tom Murphy, Lona Kaifoto, Johnny Faletagoa’I, Bailey Hartwig, Leoanti Fetuani (Released)
NORTHERN PRIDE
The Northern Pride enter a new season without the fanfare or circus of a former NRL bad boy in 2019. Whilst that will not be a loss for 2019, the potential loss of Jake Clifford to the Cowboys for NRL duty will certainly make a difference.
But maybe not. The Northern Pride have done some very shrewd recruitment for the 2019 Intrust Super Cup season, notably Brayden Torpy from Easts, who is more than capable of picking up where Clifford may leave behind. Torpy has been outstanding for the Easts Tigers, and he arrives with his brother Cameron in a double deal for 2019. Another name recruit for 2019 is former NRL and Super League player Maurice Blair, who will add plenty of experience into the Pride.
The Cairns based Pride lost a few of their regular quality contributors in recent seasons to retirement for 2019, but the remains of the side that finished 4th in 2018, together with their new recruits should prove to be a unit that are hard to beat in 2019. Their first up trial win over pre-season favourite Townsville proves they are ready to battle right at the top this season.
Trials Form: Sat 16th – Northern Pride 18 Cairns Foley Shield Team 12
Trials Form: Sat 23rd Feb – Northern Pride 28 Townsville 10
IN AND OUT
GAINS: Maurice Blair (Hull Kingston Rovers), Evan Child, Steven Tatipata (Northern Pride U20s), Matolu Laumea (Innisfail Leprechauns), Hugh Sedger, Denzel King (Ipswich Jets), Dominic Biondi (Norths Devils), Cameron Torpy (Canterbury Bulldogs), Brayden Torpy (Easts Tigers)
LOSSES: Ryan Ghietti, Brett Anderson, Troy Kapea, Nathan Wales, Graham Clark, Justin Castellaro, Sheldon Powe-Hobbs (Retired), Keelan White (Released), Jonico Hardwick (Rugby Union), Darryn Schonig (Sunshine Coast Falcons)
NORTHS DEVILS
Now here is a dark horse for success in 2019. The team from Nundah have done some very shrewd recruiting and will hopefully go a little further than 2018 where they were in the top six for a large part of the season before fading late.
A big loss is the hooker Alex Bishop who has moved to the Souths Logan Magpies but they are well covered from their 2018 squad and the new 2019 recruits.
Most exciting for us is the capture of Nixon Putt from the PNG Hunters. Nixon Putt was one of the PNG Hunters better players in 2018, and you could also argue that he was one of the best in the Kumuls big win over Fiji in the mid-season international last season. Of all the players that Norths could have taken from the mass off-season exodus from the PNG Hunters, they have certainly got the right one.
Throw in Connor Broadhurst who had been outstanding for the Capras, and real Intrust Super Cup experience of Luke Archer, Shane Pumipi and Joe Bradley, and you have a good squad which can compliment the already high quality Zach Strasser, Herbie Farnsworth and Gehamat Shibasaki. The latter two having already played with the Broncos 2019 Trial teams.
There’s some serious value at $21.
Trials Form: Sat 9th Feb – Wynnum 24 Norths 40
Trials Form: Sat 16th Feb – Norths 12 Redcliffe 12
Trials Form: Sun 23rd Feb – Sunshine Coast 28 Norths 16
IN AND OUT
GAINS: Connor Broadhurst (Central Queensland Capras), Luke Archer, Brad Frith, Jordan Mago (Souths Logan Magpies), Brendan Frei (Sydney Roosters), Shane Pumipi, Joe Bradley (Redcliffe Dolphins), Brad Lupi (Central Queensland Capras), Jayden Baker (Tweed Heads Seagulls), Nixon Putt (PNG Hunters), Stedman Lefau (Wynnum Manly Seagulls), Henry Penn (Newcastle Souths)
LOSSES: John Palavi (Gold Coast Titans / Tweed Heads Seagulls), Alex Bishop (Souths Logan Magpies), Dalton Phillips (Sunshine Coast Falcons)
PNG HUNTERS
No club has lost as much experience and quality out of their 2018 squad than the PNG Hunters have for the upcoming 2019 Intrust Super Cup season. But it is up for argument whether the mass exodus is a good or bad thing.
Sure we will miss the players we have grown to love, especially Willie Minoga, but in their place come an exciting new batch of potential new favourites. Mostly continuing the great work from the PNG Hunters previously by promoting local talent from their national competition.
Some may remember Bland Abavu as regular of the PNG Hunters in previous season, including the 2017 grand final winning side. He is the big name of the recruits for the Hunters this Intrust Super Cup season. But it’s more about name you don’t know, and our one we’re keeping an eye on for the new season is Joe Joshua.
In the absence of the Boas brother creativity in the halves, Charlie Simon – who was impressive at times in 2018 will likely take over as the main man in the halves. He has the quality to do cover for the Boas brothers, but the big mystery is whether there’s a superstar or two in the new recruits.
Trials Form: Anthony Seibold sadly cancelled a planned trial against a Broncos side.
Trials Form: The Hunters were involved in a tri series against some Digicel Cup sides. A win and a draw were the results from the half games.
https://nothingbutleague.com/2018/11/24/intrust-super-cup-is-the-exodus-from-png-hunters-a-good-thing/
IN AND OUT
GAINS: Gairo Kapana, Epel Kapinias (Rabaul Gurias), Shane Haro, Kevin Appo (Pom Vipers), Joe Joshua, Junior Rop (Lae Tigers), Daniel Tapol, Jerry Teme (Hela Wigmen), Brendon Nima, Nick Hasu (Goroka Lahanis), Joe Frank (Waghi Tumbe), Woods Kawage (Enga Mioks), Rex Kaupa (Southern Confederate), Justin Yoka, Jordon Pat (Highlands Confederate), Bland Abavu (Fassifern Bombers), Jack Oii (PRL)
LOSSES: Stargroth Amean, Wartovo Puara, Willie Minoga (Barrow Raiders), Ase Boas, Watson Boas, Thompson Teteh (Featherstone Rovers), Rahdly Brawa, Edene Gebbie (Wynnum Manly Seagulls), Brendon Gotuno (Penrith Panthers), Adam Korave, Muka Peter Kulu, Junior Bobby, Clyde Name, John Andy, Julius Yakopa, Silas Gahuna (Released), Nixon Putt (Norths Devils)
Next page – Redcliffe Dolphins to Sunshine Coast Falcons
