BROUGHT TO YOU BY THIS WEEK’S QLD CUP LEGEND – DARRYL DUNCAN
Rugby League is back, and not before time. Whilst the NRL have got their season underway with much hyped Thursday and Friday night games, the real deal is being played across Queensland and Tweed this weekend as the Intrust Super Cup aka the Queensland Cup kicks off.
All of last year’s wins and sins are forgiven and the beauty of this time of year is the clean slate for all. Just about every team this year in the competition has claims to continue their success of improve on the previous year, and whilst that won’t happen for everyone, it’s still a chance before Round 1.
Nothing But League have their full preview of Round 1 of the Intrust Super Cup for which we contribute some gear for and is worth leaving this website for. Check it out here.
With no Rugby League in Brisbane this weekend, there’s never been a better time to get to an Intrust Super Cup game.
TEAM LISTS
The QRL released the team lists on their website on Tuesday and we have a quick look through the teams below.
- Despite all the poaching of Ipswich players in the off season, they line up with 6/7 of their backline from last year including excitement machine Marmin Barba
- Plenty of new names in the Blackhawks line up – including Gurgler favourite PNG recruit Willie Minoga – to mix with the experience that took the Townsville side to the minor premiership last season
- Curtis Scott got close to Melbourne Storm start but will line up for the Falcons on Sunday. An arrangement that worked well for potential future Maroon Cameron Munster at fellow feeder club Easts.
- Former Seagull Shannon Walker has been named at fullback on his return for the club after sevens rugby. If he shines he could soon find his way into a Titans jersey.
- Highly rated Broncos prospect Caleb Timu trots out for Souths Logan on Sunday. Worth keeping an eye on him for the future, he’ll be with the Magpies for a while given depth of Brisbane forwards.
THE HUNT FOR PNG OCTOBER
Each week we’ll bring a brief update on our favourite team in this competition – the excitement machine that is the PNG Hunters.
This week they head to Brisbane and to Davies Park for their opening clash against Souths Logan Magpies.
The Hunters have an excellent record against the Magpies, and are yet to lose in four meetings. They have also handed out two big losses to the Magpies at Davies Park, so it is a happy hunting ground (pardon the pun) for them.
But Souths Logan were much improved in 2015 and look like another step up this season isn’t out of the question, and some handy Broncos fringe players mixed with experienced warhorses like Phil Dennis will make them a tough proposition. PNG Hunters also have their Broncos link with coach Michael Marum linking up with Wayne Bennett in the off season for a week.
So will the PNG side open up with a win, the stats, head and heart say Yes. And we will bne there at West End to soak up the first game of the year, and can only encourage you to do the same with no football in Brisbane this weekend.
Here’s the squad, with a few new names to know after losing two of the best in the off season – Willie Minoga and Israel Eliab amongst others. We’re looking forward to seeing all the newbies and favourites in action with our player to watch Watson Boas.
PNG Hunters
1. Stargroth Amen 2. Bland Abavu 3. Noel Zeming (c) 4. Thompson Teteh 5. Adex Wera 6. Ase Boas 7. Atte Bina 8. Henry Noki 9. Wartovo Puara 10. Esau Siune 11. Nickson Borana 12. Warren Glare 13. Ishmael Balkawa 14. Watson Boas 15. Justin Olam 16. Benjamin Hetra 17. Edward Goma 18. Philemon Kimisive
Coach: Michael Marum
TV GAMES
Each week we’ll try and let you know how to follow a game if you can’t make it to a ground.
CHANNEL 9 GAME
SUNSHINE COAST v NORTHERN PRIDE – 12:40pm SUNDAY
LIVE STREAM
SOUTHS LOGAN v PNG HUNTERS – SUNDAY 2:05pm
via QRL Website
TWEED HEADS v EASTS TIGERS – SUNDAY 2:00pm
via Tigers TV
WYNNUM v BURLEIGH – SUNDAY 3:00pm
via Callingallsportsbrisbane
ONLINE MATCH DAY PROGRAMME
The QRL are launching an online way of keeping in touch with the weekend’s games – find out more here – as there’s not much more to show yet.
GAMBLETRON 3000 CORNER
And onto our Tipsters corner where we put our money where our mouth is with our Super Multi for the weekend.
MULTI – $1 for $40
IPSWICH to win
TOWNSVILLE to win
SUNSHINE COAST to win
PNG HUNTERS to win
CENTRAL +4 start
BURLEIGH +65 start
TWEED HEADS +4 start
And here are the odds from Tattsbet to make up your own mind.
| Ipswich Jets | $ 1.52 | (-5.5) 1.90 |
| Norths Devils | $ 2.50 | (+5.5) 1.90 |
| Townsville Blackhawks | $ 1.35 | (-8.5) 1.90 |
| Redcliffe Dolphins | $ 3.15 | (+8.5) 1.90 |
| Mackay Cutters | $ 1.60 | (-4.5) 1.90 |
| CQ Capras | $ 2.30 | (+4.5) 1.90 |
| Sunshine Coast Falcons | $ 1.70 | (-2.5) 1.90 |
| Northern Pride | $ 2.12 | (+2.5) 1.90 |
| Tweed Heads | $ 2.30 | (+4.5) 1.90 |
| Easts Tigers | $ 1.60 | (-4.5) 1.90 |
| Souths Logan Magpies | $ 2.30 | (+4.5) 1.90 |
| PNG Hunters | $ 1.60 | (-4.5) 1.90 |
| Wynnum Manly Seagulls | $ 1.45 | (-6.5) 1.90 |
| Burleigh Bears | $ 2.70 | (+6.5) 1.90 |
