PREVIEWS: Intrust Super Cup 2016 Semi Finals

A full look at each of the Intrust Super Cup semi finals thanks to the QRL Media team.

Minor Semi Final

Townsville Blackhawks v Sunshine Coast Falcons
Jack Manski Oval on Saturday, September 10 - 4pm
Live Stream: QRL Live Stream
Referee: Peter Gough Assistant Referee: Jarrod Cole
Head-to-Head: Townsville 3 Sunshine Coast 0
Head-to-Head Finals: First game
Cup Finals: Townsville: (played 3, won 2, lost 1); Sunshine Coast: (played 5, won 3, lost 2)
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #superseptember #TSVBvSCF

The Sunshine Coast produced the upset of the season last weekend when they travelled to PNG and returned as victors over the Hunters in their elimination final. However, the win came at a cost, with halfback Ryley Jacks injuring his foot. A late addition to the squad, he starred in the game; scoring two tries and producing some equally important try-saving plays. He has again not been named for this weekend's sudden-death match against the Blackhawks, with Kawana Dolphin Daniel Murphy slated to take his place in the 7 jersey. In another blow for the side, interchange hooker Jake Turpin suffered a fractured jaw, while forward Tom Murphy is also a likely withdrawal. The Blackhawks are still to officially finalise their 17 for the match, as they are sweating on the availability of Moses Pangai who will tonight appeal a suspension incurred from a Grade 1 shoulder charge. He was a key feature of last weekend's dominant win over Easts Tigers, scoring two impressive tries. That match was close to start with, but despite some uncharacteristic errors marring their play - the Blackhawks were able to power ahead to a 46-4 victory. Jonathon Reuben and Michael Parker-Walshe also scored doubles and have now scored 29 tries this year, two short of the club record of 31 held by Zac Santo, who is with the Canberra Raiders this year. The two teams have met twice previously this season (Round 7 and Round 16) with Townsville prevailing in both instances. They have also won 20 of their past 23 games at Jack Manski Oval, although that will not faze the Falcons following their success last weekend.

Major Semi Final

Redcliffe Dolphins (1) v Burleigh Bears (2)
Dolphin Oval on Sunday, September 11 - 1.30pm*
Referee: Chris Anderson Assistant Referee: Nick Pelgrave
Head-to-Head: Redcliffe 24 Burleigh 19 Drawn 1
Head-to-Head Finals: Burleigh 4 Redcliffe 2
Cup Finals: Redcliffe: (played 42, won 27, lost 15); Burleigh: (played 19, won 10, lost 9)
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #superseptember #PHINSvBEARS

An Intrust Super Cup grand final berth is up for grabs when the Redcliffe Dolphins host the Burleigh Bears in Sunday afternoon's Channel 9 blockbuster. Both teams will be fresh and ready to fire after cooling their heels during Week 1 of the finals. While the losing side will get one more opportunity to qualify for the September 25 grand final at Suncorp Stadium, neither team will be leaving anything in the tank when this high-anticipated 1 v 2 clash gets underway. The battle of the halves will be an absolute beauty. Will Redcliffe's Zach Strasser and Darren Nicholls steer the Phins to their first grand final appearance since 2012, or will the Bears' NRL bound combination of Cameron Cullen and Jamal Fogarty lift the Gold Coast club into the big one? Redcliffe got the better of the Bears to the tune of 32-14 in their only encounter this year at Dolphin Oval. The Bears have historically struggled at Dolphin Oval, with only one win from their past 11 games at the Redcliffe fortress. Adam Mogg's team lost only one of their nine games at home this year and are the competition's best performed attacking and defensive team. While the numbers point towards a Dolphins victory, the Bears are having none of it and are quietly confident of spoiling the red and white party on Sunday. The Dolphins however are set to be without star winger Jonus Pearson who is has been called up for his second NRL appearance with the Broncos in tonight's knockout final against the Titans.

**Statistics by Brad Tallon