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Intrust Super Cup Round 15 Previews
ROUND 15 PREVIEW
(Check out www.qrl.com.au for this preview every Friday)
NORTHERN PRIDE v BURLEIGH BEARS
Barlow Park
Friday, July 8 - 7pm
The Bears will be looking to bounce back from their loss to the Redcliffe Dolphins a fortnight ago in their third Friday night game of the season. The Bears did well to stay in touch with the front-running Dolphins, and were only trailing by two points going into the break before going down 30-22. While they are still in the top six, another loss here could see them slip down the ladder.
For this tough road trip north to play the Pride, Burleigh have made significant changes to their line-up, with Blake Morrison, Luke Keary and Martin Griese all returning to the team, while Waka Wanahi makes his debut on the wing.
The Pride snapped a three-game losing streak with their strong 32-16 win over the Easts Tigers, with Queensland Residents centre Brett Anderson making it a game he will remember for a long time, crossing for four tries for the home side.
The Pride have made only the one change, with Cory Paterson moving up to the North Queensland Cowboys bench and Luke Saunders making his way into the team. Head to head, the Pride have won five of the past encounters and Burleigh two.
For this tough road trip north to play the Pride, Burleigh have made significant changes to their line-up, with Blake Morrison, Luke Keary and Martin Griese all returning to the team, while Waka Wanahi makes his debut on the wing.
The Pride snapped a three-game losing streak with their strong 32-16 win over the Easts Tigers, with Queensland Residents centre Brett Anderson making it a game he will remember for a long time, crossing for four tries for the home side.
The Pride have made only the one change, with Cory Paterson moving up to the North Queensland Cowboys bench and Luke Saunders making his way into the team. Head to head, the Pride have won five of the past encounters and Burleigh two.
SUNSHINE COAST v REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS
Sunshine Coast Stadium
Saturday, July 9 - 2pm* Live on ABC 1
After recording a breakthrough win a fortnight ago against the Ipswich Jets, the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles will be full of confidence coming into this game. However, the result might also have served as a wake-up call to the rest of the competition, with none of their opposition set to take them lightly.
Despite riding high on the win, the Sea Eagles may yet have their wings clipped this weekend when they take on an imposing Redcliffe Dolphins side. Sitting pretty on 22 competition points, the Dolphins have proven hard to beat this year and will be a challenge for the young Sunshine Coast side, especially with halfback Ryan Carr in good form following his man-of-the-match performance against Burleigh in his last game.
In an interesting match-up, Sunshine Coast coach Adam Mogg may be feeling some mixed emotions when his team takes on a club he played for in 106 games from 1997 to 2001, including four grand finals and two premierships. The Dolphins have only made the one change, with Marty Hatfield slotting into the backline for Hayden Topliss.
Despite riding high on the win, the Sea Eagles may yet have their wings clipped this weekend when they take on an imposing Redcliffe Dolphins side. Sitting pretty on 22 competition points, the Dolphins have proven hard to beat this year and will be a challenge for the young Sunshine Coast side, especially with halfback Ryan Carr in good form following his man-of-the-match performance against Burleigh in his last game.
In an interesting match-up, Sunshine Coast coach Adam Mogg may be feeling some mixed emotions when his team takes on a club he played for in 106 games from 1997 to 2001, including four grand finals and two premierships. The Dolphins have only made the one change, with Marty Hatfield slotting into the backline for Hayden Topliss.
EASTS TIGERS v SOUTHS LOGAN
Langlands Park
Saturday, July 9 - 3pm
Easts Tigers will play host to the Souths Logan Magpies in what should be an entertaining Brisbane derby this Saturday. Easts were outplayed by the Northern Pride at Barlow Park in their last game and will be looking to put on an improved performance for their home fans.
However, Troy McCarthy has opted to go with the same 17 (although there has been a minor reshuffle of the bench) to give them a chance to improve their game and launch a last ditch bid for a top six berth. Souths Logan have entered life as a club without the full support of the Canberra Raiders, but will still field a strong team for this outing.
Residents star Travis Waddell is staying on with the Magpies and has been named at hooker, while skipper Phil Dennis makes his return from a hamstring injury. Souths continue to build with a good win over an improving Wynnum Manly Seagulls in their last game.
In their first round match earlier this year, the Tigers snatched a late win with a last-minute try, which was the first time the side had beaten the Magpies after losing their past six encounters. Head-to-head, things bode well for the Tigers, with Easts having won 20 of their past games to Souths-Logan's 10.
However, Troy McCarthy has opted to go with the same 17 (although there has been a minor reshuffle of the bench) to give them a chance to improve their game and launch a last ditch bid for a top six berth. Souths Logan have entered life as a club without the full support of the Canberra Raiders, but will still field a strong team for this outing.
Residents star Travis Waddell is staying on with the Magpies and has been named at hooker, while skipper Phil Dennis makes his return from a hamstring injury. Souths continue to build with a good win over an improving Wynnum Manly Seagulls in their last game.
In their first round match earlier this year, the Tigers snatched a late win with a last-minute try, which was the first time the side had beaten the Magpies after losing their past six encounters. Head-to-head, things bode well for the Tigers, with Easts having won 20 of their past games to Souths-Logan's 10.
CENTRAL COMETS v TWEED HEADS
Browne Park
Saturday, July 9 - 7.30pm
Will the Comets have what it takes to stop the recording-breaking Tweed Heads outfit this weekend? The Seagulls were held to a 10-10 draw by the Mackay Cutters in round 14 and given the fact a number of their key players were involved in Wednesday night's physical Residents encounter, this could be the time.
However, the Comets will have to tighten up their defence if they are to record the desired result. While they scored a morale-boosting win over Norths in their last game, they also let in 34 points. Tweed have the best defensive record in the competition, having only let in 192 points. Their nearest rivals, Northern Pride, have conceded 236 points.
The Seagulls will be without the injured Brock Hunter, with Josh Starling called into the starting side and Blake Leary added to the bench. For the Comets, they will be without Mat Templeman and Broncos import Ben Hunt, with Jonathon Tavinor and Chris Beasley joining the team.
In milestone news, Central Comet Neale Wyatt will play his 100th Queensland Cup game, having previously played the bulk of his games for Toowoomba (96) and big Tweed forward Rod Griffin will run out for his 50th overall, with previous stints with Wynnum and Northern Pride.
However, the Comets will have to tighten up their defence if they are to record the desired result. While they scored a morale-boosting win over Norths in their last game, they also let in 34 points. Tweed have the best defensive record in the competition, having only let in 192 points. Their nearest rivals, Northern Pride, have conceded 236 points.
The Seagulls will be without the injured Brock Hunter, with Josh Starling called into the starting side and Blake Leary added to the bench. For the Comets, they will be without Mat Templeman and Broncos import Ben Hunt, with Jonathon Tavinor and Chris Beasley joining the team.
In milestone news, Central Comet Neale Wyatt will play his 100th Queensland Cup game, having previously played the bulk of his games for Toowoomba (96) and big Tweed forward Rod Griffin will run out for his 50th overall, with previous stints with Wynnum and Northern Pride.
MACKAY CUTTERS v IPSWICH JETS
Shark Park
Sunday, July 10 - 2pm
In an interesting match-up at Shark Park, the Mackay Cutters will host the Ipswich Jets in what is a vital game in regards to the Intrust Super Cup top six. The Jets are currently in fourth place, but could lose their prominent position with another loss here.
The first team to lose to the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles, the Jets would have spent the week regrouping. If they are to win here, they will have to do it without star centre Donald Malone and utility Sam Martin, who are both serving suspensions. Mackay utility Tyson Martin is also serving a one-match suspension and will not play, but the Cutters will see the return of big guns Ben Jones and Dane Hogan.
The Jets will welcome back a swag of key players, with Brendon Marshall, Trevor Exton, Keiron Lander and Nathaniel Neale all named to take to the field. Smith Samau has also been named and will play his 50th Queensland Cup game for the Jets and his 71st overall having also played for Norths.
Jacob Ling will also play a milestone game, pulling on the boots for his 50th Queensland Cup game, all of which will be for the Jets.
The first team to lose to the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles, the Jets would have spent the week regrouping. If they are to win here, they will have to do it without star centre Donald Malone and utility Sam Martin, who are both serving suspensions. Mackay utility Tyson Martin is also serving a one-match suspension and will not play, but the Cutters will see the return of big guns Ben Jones and Dane Hogan.
The Jets will welcome back a swag of key players, with Brendon Marshall, Trevor Exton, Keiron Lander and Nathaniel Neale all named to take to the field. Smith Samau has also been named and will play his 50th Queensland Cup game for the Jets and his 71st overall having also played for Norths.
Jacob Ling will also play a milestone game, pulling on the boots for his 50th Queensland Cup game, all of which will be for the Jets.
WYNNUM MANLY v NORTHS DEVILS
BMD Kougari Oval
Sunday, July 10 - 3pm
Norths Devils will be hoping their recent performances against Wynnum Manly will continue with the Nundah-based side having won the past three games between these two teams. They also have the better of the head-to-head overall, with 17 wins to 11 over the Seagulls.
The Devils let a promising lead in their game against the Comets go to waste and were run down in the second half in the heartbreaking 40-34 loss. Devils coach Trevor Bailey has been forced to make a few changes to his team, with Natthan Cleaver out with a broken wrist and Troyden Watene also out of the line-up. Forward Simona Vavega moves into the starting side, as does Luke Samoa in the centres.
Wynnum came close to getting a win in their last game against Souths Logan, but some desperate defence from the Magpies in their last play denied them their desired result. Wynnum were also dealt a heavy blow with a shoulder injury striking down Shea Moylan.
This game will also see Norths halfback Shane Perry reach yet another milestone, with the veteran set to play in his 211th game, moving him into fifth place for the number of all time games played.
The Devils let a promising lead in their game against the Comets go to waste and were run down in the second half in the heartbreaking 40-34 loss. Devils coach Trevor Bailey has been forced to make a few changes to his team, with Natthan Cleaver out with a broken wrist and Troyden Watene also out of the line-up. Forward Simona Vavega moves into the starting side, as does Luke Samoa in the centres.
Wynnum came close to getting a win in their last game against Souths Logan, but some desperate defence from the Magpies in their last play denied them their desired result. Wynnum were also dealt a heavy blow with a shoulder injury striking down Shea Moylan.
This game will also see Norths halfback Shane Perry reach yet another milestone, with the veteran set to play in his 211th game, moving him into fifth place for the number of all time games played.