Intrust Super Cup Round 21 is about to kick off, following yet another great Country Week (read the Top 5 from it here), and it is back to business of regular competition at regular locations.
There may be five quality games on offer this weekend, but in our eyes there is only one, and the one we shall be attending – Redcliffe Dolphins v PNG Hunters. It is a fixture that is circled on the calendar, and we haven’t missed one since the Hunters played their first game there in 2014.
Of course it is not the only great game this weekend, with Wynnum v Easts and Burleigh v Townsville catching the eye. And interest lying in the outcomes of Ipswich and Sunshine Coast’s matches for the race for the top 6 and 2.
Intrust Super Cup Round 21 Match Previews in 25 Words or So
People’s attention spans are shrinking, and so we need to keep our game by game preview as short as possible.
We recommend a fuller preview available via the Nothing But League Match Centre.
Ipswich Jets v Northern Pride
North Ipswich Reserve on Saturday 3pm
Jets slim chances of a finals berth requires them to win and win well. Northern Pride broke an eight game losing streak in Bamaga last weekend.
Burleigh Bears v Townsville Blackhawks
Pizzey Park on Saturday 5.45pm
2016 Premiers v 2015 Runners Up. Burleigh have won 4 of their last 6, but Townsville have a 4-1 record on the road in SEQ in 2017.
CQ Capras v Sunshine Coast Falcons
Browne Park on Saturday 6pm
Sunshine Coast have gone LWLWLW in their last 6, and have allowed other teams to catch them for a Top 2 place. Central Capras have lot 7 straight.
Redcliffe Dolphins v PNG Hunters
Dolphin Oval on Sunday 1.40pm
The game we can’t wait for, and we’ll be there.
Wynnum Manly Seagulls v Easts Tigers
BMD Kougari Oval on Sunday 3pm
A quality local rivalry to finish off the weekend. Wynnum’s two game winning run was ended last weekend along with finals hopes, Easts keep climbing up the ladder and are now equal second.
Intrust Super Cup Round 21 BROADCAST GAMES
Sun 1:40pm – Channel 9 – Redcliffe Dolphins v PNG Hunters
Sun 3pm – TigersTV – Wynnum v Easts
Intrust Super Cup Round 21 BETTING / TIPPING
WHAT ARE THE ODDS FOR THIS WEEKEND?
IPSWICH $1.40 PRIDE $2.70 – Pride +6.5 start
BURLEIGH $2.50 TOWNSVILLE $1.50 – Burleigh +5.5 start
CENTRAL $3.80 SUNSHINE COAST $1.25 – Central +10.5 start
REDCLIFFE $1.55 PNG HUNTERS $2.40 – Hunters +4.5 start
WYNNUM $2.70 EASTS $1.45 – Wynnum +6.5 start
THE GURGLER ROUND 21 SELECTIONS
IPSWICH to win
TOWNSVILLE to win
BURLEIGH to win
PNG HUNTERS to win
EASTS to win
$1 for $10
PNG HUNTERS CORNER
Excitement is building as one of the big games of the year awaits. The now annual trip to Redcliffe to watch the Dolphins take on the Hunters. Thank goodness they moved it to the traditional and much loved timeslot of Sunday afternoon. Where it belongs.
Dolphin Oval was the setting for the Hunters first game in the Intrust Super Cup back in 2014, and repeating that winning day over Redcliffe on Sunday afternoon would be a step closer to a minor premiership in their fourth season. A fine achievement for the rugby league mad nation. We were there on their first day and have been a convert ever since.
The head to head record at Dolphin Oval is a win a piece either side of a thrilling 28-28 draw in 2015. Coincidentally 28-28 was the score line from the Hunters game last weekend in Port Moresby against the Cutters as they dropped one competition point but extended their lead at the top after Sunshine Coast lost. Redcliffe took advantage and closed within one point of the Falcons with a 42-6 win, and breaking a 2 game losing streak in the process after close losses to the Falcons and Wynnum Seagulls.
They will need to be at their best against the Hunters to continue their chase for second, whose away record is much improved from 2016 and a competition benchmark with seven wins and just one loss so far this season.
A strong side has been named by the Hunters, with a full backline at their disposal and always great to see Butler Morris as a part of that. Willie Minoga moves back into the back row, and will no doubt be ready to do some damage. Brandy Peter is a name that keen Hunters fans will recognise and love.
Here’s the team for this weekend.
PNG Hunters
- Stargroth Amean 2. Bland Abavu 3. Israel Eliab 4. Adex Wera 5. Butler Morris 6. Ase Boas (c) 7. Watson Boas 8. Wellington Albert 9. Wartovo Puara 10. Esau Siune 11. Willie Minoga 12. Nixon Putt 13. Stanton Albert 14. Silas Gahuna 15. Enock Maki 16. Brandy Peter 17. Moses Meninga 18. Karo Kauna Jr 19. Wawa Paul 20. Rahdly Brawa
Coach: Michael Marum
