Queensland Cup 2014

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Intrust Super Cup preview: Round 2

PNG HUNTERS v MACKAY CUTTERS
Kalabond Stadium (Kokopo), Saturday, March 8 – 2.30pm
Referee: Nick Morel
Head to Head: First match
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #PNGvMC

Buoyed by an historic opening round win over Redcliffe, the Hunters will go in search of back-to-back wins in their first match on home soil. Saturday’s clash against the Mackay Cutters at Kalabond Stadium in Kokopo is the first of three successive home games for the Hunters. Coming up against a passionate Hunters team which continues to capture the hearts and minds of rugby league fans, the Cutters will need to reproduce the steely resolve that saw them clinch an inaugural premiership last September. The Hunters have made one change from last week, with Joe Bruno replacing Gonzela Urakusie at prop. The Cutters have been forced to make one adjustment to their starting pack following the one-match suspension of Jason Schirnack (striking). John Asiata has been named at lock as Schirnack’s replacement, but Cutters coach Kim Williams may yet shift Dan Beasley from the bench to the starting side. Beasley was the Cutters’ best performer in last weekend’s 40-12 loss to Easts.

Ben ‘Dobbo’ Dobbin (Triple M) says: How good were the Hunters last weekend! This team has put all the other Intrust Super Cup teams on notice. They are here to play and will be hard to beat at home in front of 10,000 screaming fans. PNG Hunters by 12.

IPSWICH JETS v TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS
North Ipswich Reserve on Saturday, March 8 – 5.30pm
Referee: Chris Anderson
Head to Head: Tweed 17 Ipswich 6
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #JETSvTHS

Tweed Heads came tantalisingly close to opening the season with a victory over fierce rivals Wynnum Manly last weekend. The Tweed took the attack to Wynnum Manly in the second half, and were only denied in the closing minutes by a quick-stepping try from Kurt French. Tweed coach Aaron Zimmerle was impressed with the effort, but he won’t crack a smile until his team opens their 2014 account. They stand a good chance of recording a first up win this weekend, with several Gold Coast Titans players likely to bolster the squad for the Ipswich clash. They will come up against a former Titan and Seagull, with Marmin Barba named to make his debut for the Jets. Barba scored seven tries in 16 Intrust Super Cup games for Tweed last season, and he could be even more lethal this year under the attacking coaching style of Ben and Shane Walker. Troy O’Sullivan plays his 50th match for the Jets, who will be without injured pair Tautalatasi Tasi and Liam Capewell. Former Broncos NYC forward Josh Seage joins Barba on the bench, with Wes Conlon moving into the starting side as Tasi’s replacement on the wing.

‘Dobbo’ says: The boys from Ipswich had a narrow loss against Norths. But they can make amends with the inclusion of Barba who will bring some attacking flair this week. If not, at least the female attendance will increase by double at the North Ipswich Reserve. Ipswich Jets by 6.

CQ CAPRAS v NORTHERN PRIDE
Browne Park on Saturday, March 8 – 6pm
Referee: Rob Gallacher
Head to Head: Pride 8 Central 5
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #CQCvPRIDE

Having played a significant role in the development of boom young gun Cameron Munster last season, Central Queensland Capras coach Jason Hetherington is again turning to youth. Hetherington has selected Central Under 21 players Marlon Doak and Mark Johnstone at fullback and five-eighth respectively. Those key positions were last year filled by Munster and Brent Crisp. But with Munster now on the books of the Melbourne Storm and Crisp on the comeback trail from injury, new faces Doak and Johnstone will get their chance to step up against the Pride at Browne Park on Saturday night. The Capras are sweating on the fitness of centres Mitch Zorning and Smith Samau, but have been boosted by the return of big forward John Clayton. The Pride have injury concerns of their own, with coach Jason Demetriou set to assess the fitness of Matthew Wright and Sam Obst this week. The Pride shot straight to the top of the Intrust Super Cup ladder after a 36-0 victory over the Sunshine Coast at Barlow Park in round 1. But this match is poised to be a much tougher assignment given that the Capras are traditionally tough to beat at home.

‘Dobbo’ says: The CQ Capras’ first home game of the season promises to be a cracking match. Look out for Justin Castellaro, the Pride’s Italian representative winger from Ingham (I don’t know how that happens!), who has shown a taste for finding the try line. Northern Pride by 10.

SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS v SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES
Stockland Stadium, on Saturday, March 8 – 6pm
Referee: Jarrod Cole
Head to Head: Souths Logan 8 Sunshine Coast 3
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #SCFvSLM

The Souths Logan Magpies will open their 2014 campaign on Saturday night when they travel north to take on the Sunshine Coast Falcons. The Magpies sat out the first week of the competition with a bye and will be keen to make their mark with a win first up. In their way however are a home side determined to improve on their round 1 result and to avoid recording their 20th loss in succession. Last week the Falcons were defeated 36-0 by a strong Northern Pride side – but there were still plenty of performances from the team that pleased coach Ivan Henjak; who singled out second-row pair Jacob Samoa and Rueben Baillie for special praise. The Falcons will go into this match with an unchanged line-up. Magpies coach Josh Hannay (who incidentally has played 27 Cup games in the past, scoring 192 points) has included Canberra Raiders contracted quartet Jordan Rapana (wing), Jack Ahearn (five-eighth), Sam Mataora (prop) and former junior Mitch Cronin (hooker) in his formidable looking side. The Magpies have a superior head-to-head record, having won five of their past six matches against the Sunshine Coast.

‘Dobbo’ says: This year is a learning curve for the Sunshine Coast. They endured a tough day at the office last week but the effort was there. There is plenty of interest in how the Magpies will perform in their first outing of the season. This match will be closer than most think. Souths Logan by 6

WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS v EASTS TIGERS
BMD Kougari Oval on Sunday, March 9 – 2pm* (Live on Channel 9)
Referee: Michael Gordon
Head to Head: Easts 18 Wynnum 16 Drawn 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #WYNvTIGES

Easts Tigers made an emphatic statement about their intentions this season with their opening round win – defeating the defending premiers Mackay Cutters 40-12 at Stadium Mackay. All of Craig Ingebrigtsen’s charges put in a good showing, with hooker Tommy Butterfield and forward Jacob Ling impressing in what was the Tigers’ biggest ever win over their Mackay rivals. While the Tigers did it relatively easily; their opposition this weekend Wynnum were locked in a tense struggle right to the end before they could overcome Tweed Heads. Coach Jon Buchanan has named an unchanged side for this weekend’s Channel 9 match and he will be hoping they have what it takes to record back-to-back wins to open the season. The Tigers however have been forced to make a number of changes, with lock Matthew Zgrajewski breaking his leg in the win over Mackay. Dane Hogan has been brought in as his replacement. Storm contracted players Richie Kennar, Hymel Hunt and Matthew Lodge have not been named to back up this week – but may yet still feature, with former Jets Jarrod McInally and Donald Malone set to debut for their new club. Liufau Hala and Liam Tyson have also been named to play in their first game for the club this year.

‘Dobbo’ says: What a cracking game this will be. Easts have shown already they mean business. Wynnum had a first up win but were a little rusty. XXXX will be flowing from the Chook Pen at BMD Kougari Oval … Sunday rugby league at its best! Easts Tigers by 12.

NORTHS DEVILS v BURLEIGH BEARS
Bishop Park on Sunday, March 9 – 3pm
Referee: Clayton Sharpe
Head to Head: Burleigh 20 Norths 16
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #DEVILSvBEARS

Two first round winners will face off at Bishop Park on Sunday with the Devils hosting Burleigh in the final match of the round. The Norths backline will feature a familiar name in Jharal Yow Yeh, who will take his latest step in his journey back from injury – one which was once thought so bad he would never play the game again. James Geurtjens is the other new inclusion in the team that defeated the Ipswich Jets last weekend, while Brad McKee has been omitted. Forward Francis Molo will also not feature this week after he was named in the Broncos opening round NYC match against the Bulldogs. Bears coach Carl Briggs has been forced to name a replacement for utility Jamie Dowling who went down with a knee injury in the first minute of the Bears’ win over the Capras. Kyle McConnell was named to start in the back row, but will also have to be replaced after he copped a one-match ban for a shoulder charge. Steve Michaels has been added to the wing, shifting three-try scorer Khan Ahwang into the centres, while Jamie Anderson moves onto the bench. For Burleigh, this could be a tough road trip, with Norths having won four of their past five games between the two sides.

‘Dobbo’ says: A big crowd will be on hand at Bishop Park for the clash between the two round 1 winners. With a new coach and squad, Norths have plenty to prove in this competition. Norths Devils by 6.

REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS – bye

Team lists for each match can be viewed here: Intrust Super Cup Weekly Teams

Source: http://www.qrl.com.au

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Intrust Super Cup teams Round 2:

PNG Hunters v Mackay Cutters at Kalabond Oval, Kokopo on Saturday, March 8 - 2.30pm

PNG Hunters

1. Adex Wera 2. Garry Lo 3. Thompson Teteh 4. Albert Patak 5. George Benson 6. Israel Eliab (c) 7. Roger Laka 8. Joe Bruno 9. Wartovo Puara 10. Timothy Lomai 11. David Loko 12. Brandy Peter 13. Sebastian Pandia 14. Noel Zemming 15. Willie Minoga 16. Lawrence Tu'u 17. Adam Korave 18. TBC

Coach: Michael Marum

Mackay Cutters

1. Liam Taylor 2. James Uhatafa 3. Josh Benjamin 4. Chris Ulugia 5. Justin Tavae 6. Doug Hewitt 7. Tom Rouse 8. Sam Hoare 9. Anthony Mitchell 10. Karl Davies 11. Dean Webster 12. Chris Gesch 13. John Asiata 14. Dave Petersen 15. Dan Beasley 16. Aleki Falepaini 17. Tyson Martin (c) 18. Dan Murphy 19. Zac Dalton 20. Ryan Kinlyside

Coach: Kim Williams

Twitter: #intrustsupercup #PNGvMC

Ipswich Jets v Tweed Heads Seagulls at North Ipswich Reserve on Saturday, March 8 - 5.30pm

Ipswich Jets

1. Javarn White 2. Kurt Capewell 3. Nemani Valekapa 4. Brendon Marshall 5. Wes Conlon 6. Haydan Lipp 7. Dane Phillips 8. Tyson Lofipo 9. Troy O'Sullivan 10. Billy McConnachie 11. Rod Griffin 12. Sam Martin 13. Keiron Lander (c) 14. Josh Seage 15. Matt Parcell 16. Tariki Peneha 17. Marmin Barba

Coach: Ben Walker and Shane Walker

Tweed Heads Seagulls

1. Tom Merritt 2. Matt Parata 3. Kalifa Faifai Loa 4. Blake Anderson 5. Luke Dumas 6. Jamal Fogarty 7. Jacob Neil 8. Damian Sironen 9. Matt King (c) 10. Paul Stephenson 11. Cody Nelson 12. Sam Saville 13. Tom Dawney 14. Zac Friend 15. Chris Piper 16. Oliver Percy 17. Josh Harvey

Coach: Aaron Zimmerle

Twitter: #intrustsupercup #JETSvTHS

CQ Capras v Northern Pride on Saturday, March 8 at Browne Park - 6pm

CQ Capras

1. Marlon Doak 2. Mitch Zornig 3. Marco Delapena 4. Smith Samau 5. Rhys Williams 6. Mark Johnstone 7. Theeran Pearson 8. Arlin Paki 9. Reece Baker 10. Sebastien Martins 11. Andrew Dale 12. Guy Williams (c) 13. Peter Gallen 14. Grant Rogers 15. Brent Williams 16. Sam Pierce 17. John Clayton 18. Liam Pickersgill 19. Ha'ofanga Rabakewa 20. Hayden Buckman 21. Matt Mizzi 22. Ian Webster

Coach: Jason Hetherington

Northern Pride

1. Matthew Wright 2. Justin Castellaro 3. Brett Anderson (c) 4. Davin Crampton 5. Javid Bowen 6. Shaun Nona 7. Sam Obst 20. Alex Starmer 9. Cameron King 10. Ricky Thorby 11. Ethan Lowe 12. Tyrone McCarthy 13. Ben Spina 14. Jason Roos (c) 15. Blake Leary 21. Latu Fifita 17. Brent Oosen 18. Jack Svendsen 19. Ryan Ghietti

Coach: Jason Demetriou

Twitter: #intrustsupercup #CQCvPRIDE

Sunshine Coast Falcons v Souths Logan Magpies on Saturday, March 8 at Stockland Stadium - 6pm

Sunshine Coast Falcons

1. Kyle Van Klaveren 2. Dale Middleton 3. Callum Klein 4. Rowan Klein 5. Sam Wright 6. Brett Doherty 7. David Oakes 8. Mitch Ebdon 9. Jay Lobwein 10. Ryan Hansen (c) 11. Rueben Baille 12. Jacob Samoa 13. Kristian Wanka 14. Kai Busiko 15. Brenton Stonier 16. Beau Walker 17. Travis Long 18. Dalton Harry 19. Arthur Brown 20. Mboya Adams

Coach: Ivan Henjak

Souths Logan Magpies

1. Luke Archer 2. Ramon Filipine 3. Nick Doyle 4. David Faamita 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Ahearn 7. Rhys Jacks 8. Mat Pitman 9. Mitch Cronin 10. Sam Mataora 11. Andrew Edwards 12. Leon Panapa 13. Phil Dennis (c) 14. Herschel Gideon 15. Dallas Anderson 16. Zac Lemberg 17. Simanu Crichton

Coach: Josh Hannay

Twitter: #intrustsupercup #SCFvSLM

Wynnum Manly Seagulls v Easts Tigers on Sunday, March 9 at BMD Kougari Oval - 2pm* (Live on Channel 9)

Wynnum Manly Seagulls

1. Daniel Ogden 2. Peter Gubb 3. Matt Grieve 4. Jason Moon 5. Mitchell Buckett 6. Ben Cronin 7. Kurt French 8. Ben Shea 9. Mitchell Moore 10. Tim Natusch (c) 11. Tanu Wulf 12. John Te Reo 13. Mitchell Frei 14. Joe Mua 15. Stephen Coombe 16. Saia Makisi 17. Dylan Smith

Coach: Jon Buchanan

Easts Tigers

1. Eddie Tautali 2. Jarrod McInally 3. Shane Neumann 4. Donald Malone 5. Maeli Seve 6. Cody Walker 7. Grant Giess 8. Steven Thorpe (c) 9. Tom Butterfield 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Troy Giess 12. Tim Glasby 13. Dane Hogan 14. Liam McDonald 15. Jacob Ling 16. Liufau Hala 17. Liam Tyson

Coach: Craig Ingebrigtsen

Twitter: #intrustsupercup #WYNvTIGES

Norths Devils v Burleigh Bears at Bishop Park on Sunday, March 9 - 3pm

Norths Devils

1. Shaun Carney 2. Rogan Dean 3. Dylan Galloway 4. Tristan Lumley 5. Jharal Yow Yeh 6. Todd Murphy 7. Sam Foster 8. Jamie Muller 9. Byron Creighton 10. Jared Blanke 11. Brendon Gibb (c) 12. Chris Faust 13. James Sharkie 15. Kainga Turner 16. Patrick McPherson 17. James Geurtjens 19. Krys Freeman

Coach: Mark Gliddon

Burleigh Bears

1. Henare Wells 2. Anthony Don 3. Siutonga Likiliki 4. Khan Ahwang 5. Steve Michaels 6. Tyler Chadburn 7. Matt Beddow 8. Luke Page 9. Matt Keating 10. Matt Bell 11. Kyle McConnell 12. Louis Fanene 13. Darren Griffiths (c) 14. Nafe Seluini 15. Jamie Anderson 16. Chris Kitching 17. Mark Ioane 18. Jesse Malcolm

Coach: Carl Briggs

Twitter: #intrustsupercup #DEVILSvBEARS

Redcliffe Dolphins v Bye

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Mackay Cutters strike first through Dan Murphy. Cutters 6 PNG 0. ‪#‎PNGvMC‬

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Pouring down rain in kokopo. Going to be a slog in the rain for today's match

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Gary Lo on fire. Makes it 6 Cutters 4 Hunters! crowd erupts

https://www.facebook.com/PNGHuntersSupporters?fref=ts

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Mackay Cutters hit right back with a deflection from a grubber pounced on by Tyson Martin. Cutters 10 PNG 4.

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Half time: Mackay Cutters 10 PNG Hunters 8. Physical contest in wet conditions. Hunters had better of closing stages of 2nd half but bombed numerous chances. #intrustsupercup

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They love their footy in PNG.

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51 MINS: Try! Stunning pick up and dash to the line by PNG Hunters fullback Adex Wera. Crowd right into this now! PNG 14 Cutters 10

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Mackay Cutters forward Dan Beasley barges over from close range and Liam Taylor converts. Cutters back in front 16-14

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PNG Hunters score again via Thompson Tetah and that should nearly wrap it up

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Fulltime Hunters 24 defeat Cutters 16

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Half time Intrust Super Cup at Kougari Oval, Wynnum Manly Seagulls 16 leads Eastern Suburbs Tigers 0.

Tigers two disallowed try's, Seagulls dominated field position and possession.