PREVIEW | Round 1 QRL Intrust Super Cup

QRL Media previews all the action of Round 1 Intrust Super Cup.

Sunshine Coast Falcons v Easts Tigers 

Sunshine Coast Stadium on Saturday, March 4 - 4.30pm
Referee: Michael Gordon
Assistant Referee: Damian Brady (Intrust Super Cup debut) 
Head-to-Head: Easts Tigers 10 Sunshine Coast 5
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #SCFvTIGES

The first round of this year's Intrust Super Cup will kick off with the two Melbourne feeder clubs facing off in what is set to be a hard-fought contest. Despite being pencilled in to start for the Falcons in the five-eighth position earlier this week, half Ryley Jacks made his NRL debut alongside Cooper Cronk for the Storm tonight. While his absence will be felt, the Sunshine Coast do have a wealth of talent at their disposal - including new signing Kevin Locke, and they will have to be on song if they are to conquer an impressive-looking Tigers outfit. Easts have recruited well in the off-season and will have experienced Cup players like Linc Port and David Murphy make their club debuts. Former Tigers Steven Thorpe (prop) and Jarrod McInally (wing) are back at Coorparoo this season and will start the game.

*This game will see a two referee system employed despite not being a broadcast game, as the QRL aims to not only provide more clubs with experience under the NRL-style model - but also give more match officials the opportunity to experience refereeing the game in this manner.

Mackay Cutters v Northern Pride

BB Print Stadium, Mackay on Saturday, March 4 - 6pm
Referee: Tyson Brough
Head-to-Head: Pride 14 Mackay 5
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #MCvPRIDE

Foley Shield football returns to the north tomorrow night with the Cutters hosting the Pride in their first leg of the revamped tournament. Across many decades, it was the pinnacle of rugby league in North Queensland and was one of the hardest fought contests in rugby league. This year, these two clubs (and the Townsville Blackhawks) will contest the shield when their major competition teams go head-to-head. Both clubs have welcomed new coaches in the off-season in former NQ Cowboys Under 20s assistant coach Steve Sheppard (Mackay) and Northern Pride club legend Ty Williams. While the on-field contest is expected to be a fierce one, the Pride have the better record, having won the past three, and five of the past six games played between these two sides.

CQ Capras v PNG Hunters

Browne Park on Saturday, March 4 - 6.05pm
Referee: Nick Pelgrave
Head-to-Head: PNG 3 Central 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #CQCvPNG
Livestream: QRL Livestream

A new-look CQ Capras will host the PNG Hunters at Browne Park - the scene of one of their most remarkable wins last season. The home side stunned the highly fancied visitors 27-20 in their Round 11 match, with Reece Baker scoring a double. Both sides have undergone a personnel revamp in the off-season with Capras coach Kim Williams looking to add experience to his line-up by signing names such as former NRL player Matt Groat (Dewsbury Rams) and well-regarded hooker Krys Freeman (returning from a stint with Newcastle). The Hunters however are welcoming home a number of players who have previously performed well for them on the big stage - headlined by 2015 Intrust Super Cup Five-Eighth of the Year Israel Eliab from the London Broncos. He is joined in the squad by Wellington brothers Albert and Stanton and tough forward Willie Minoga who is back from the Blackhawks.

Redcliffe Dolphins v Burleigh Bears 

Dolphin Oval on Sunday, March 5 - 12.40pm* (Live on Channel 9)
Referee: Chris Anderson
Assistant Referee: Dan Munroe (Intrust Super Cup debut)
Head-to-Head: Redcliffe 24 Burleigh 21 Drawn 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #PHINSvBEARS

The grand final re-match at Dolphin Oval kicks off a bumper Sunday afternoon. Only six players from the Burleigh team which beat Redcliffe 26-16 will back up for the Bears in the season opener, while eight Dolphins return after last year's disappointment. With the premiership-wining halves pairing of Cameron Cullen and Jamal Fogarty having been snapped up by NRL clubs, the Bears will unveil the new combination of Daniel Schwass and Samuel Grant. The Dolphins also have a new starting halfback, with Christian Hazard given the responsibility of filling the void left by Darren Nicholls. Hazard was used by coach Adam Mogg in a utility role for much of last season, but has the class to succeed in the No. 7 jersey. New faces to debut for the Dolphins on Sunday include Thompson Teteh, Matthew Lodge and Samson Graham.

Tweed Heads Seagulls v Ipswich Jets 

Piggabeen Sports Complex on Sunday, March 5 - 2pm
Referee: Jarrod Cole
Head-to-Head: Tweed 19 Ipswich 11
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #THSvJETS

The start of a new season brings fresh hope for two teams which missed last year's semi-finals. Both clubs have upped the ante in the pre-season and will be much tougher units to crack in 2017. Aaron Zimmerle's Seagulls have undergone the most extensive transformation in terms of player personnel, with a host of new faces to debut in the black and white at Piggabeen on Sunday afternoon. Ipswich has two new additions - big Pittsworth forward Mitch Carpenter and classy five-eighth Luke Capewell. Former Dolphin Capewell will need to overcome a calf complaint to take his place in the line-up, while premiership-winning forward and Scottish international Billy McConnachie is also under a fitness cloud. Ben and Shane Walker will coach the Ipswich team for the 150th time. They have 86 wins and seven draws to their name in an impressive record, which also includes the 2015 Intrust Super Cup premiership and NRL State Championship. 

Souths Logan Magpies v Wynnum Manly Seagulls 

Davies Park on Sunday, March 5 - 2pm
Referee: Liam Kennedy
Head-to-Head: Wynnum 28 Souths Logan 11 Drawn 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #SLMvWYN

 New Souths Logan coach Jon Buchanan goes up against his old club in what shapes as an enthralling contest between two of Brisbane's traditional rivals. While a premiership eluded him at Wynnum, Buchanan tasted plenty of success and was named Intrust Super Cup Coach of the Year in 2014. The newly-appointed XXXX Queensland Residents coach will be desperate to get one up over his old club in the Sunday afternoon Round 1 clash. The Seagulls have won nine of their past 10 games against Souths Logan. However, the Magpies have named a formidable team on paper, thanks largely to some key additions from the Brisbane Broncos, including Sam Scarlett. The young halfback is backing up for his second year with the Magpies and his game is tipped to blossom alongside crafty Capras recruit Matt Minto. For the Seagulls, former Bulldogs forward Adam Brideson will guide the Bayside club for the first time in an Intrust Super Cup match. Brideson has a strong team at his disposal, with the inclusion of former NRL playmaker Travis Burns and Roosters forward Mitchell Frei to add both punch and experience.

Norths Devils v Townsville Blackhawks 

Bishop Park on Sunday, March 5 - 3.30pm
Referee: Tim Rutherford
Head-to-Head: Townsville 3 Norths 0
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #DEVILSvTSVB

Norths Devils kick off their campaign with one of the most challenging assignments in the Intrust Super Cup. But Devils coach Mark Gliddon is quietly confident about their prospects of upsetting the Blackhawks, one of the early favourites for this year's premiership. Star recruit Chis Sandow won't be donning the Norths colours this weekend, but with Bronco Kodi Nikormia named to partner Todd Murphy in the halves, the Devils have an abundance of talent in key positions. The Blackhawks will field eight new players at Bishop Park as they attempt to kick-start their season with a first-up win. Carlin Anderson, Sione Lousi, Lee Jewitt, Kierran Moseley, Oshae Tuiasau, Blake Leary, Paul Byrnes and Ty Carucci are the new faces. With the likes of Anthony Mitchell, Kyle Laybutt, Michael Parker-Walshe and Jonathon Reuben returning from last year, coach Kristian Woolf has an exciting roster to work with as the northern club goes in search of its first Intrust Super Cup title.

*Statistics provided by Brad Tallon