PREVIEW: QRL & NSWRL Finals Week 1

We've compiled all the QRL & NSWRL previews for the first week of the finals into one neat spot - here they are thanks to each of the state bodies.

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QRL Intrust Super Cup Finals Week 1

TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS v IPSWICH JETS
Piggabeen Sports Complex, Sunday, September 7 - 2pm

Referee: Clayton Sharpe
Head to Head: Tweed Heads 18 Ipswich 7
Head-to-Head Finals: Tweed 1 Ipswich 0 (KO Final 2007, Tweed 40 def Ipswich 14 (Piggabeen)
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #THSvJETS #09Sizzles
Livestream: http://www.qrl.com.au/interactive/live-stream.html

The Seagulls secured the right to host this elimination final against Ipswich in the final minute of last week's game and will hope their home ground advantage keeps them in this year's finals race. The Jets have not beaten Tweed Heads south of the border in their past 13 attempts. Both teams have named unchanged sides - however, Aaron Zimmerle will be forced into at least one change, with Cory Blair accepting a two-match ban for a dangerous throw. He will be a significant loss, having made a game high 17 runs for 180 metres for his team in Tweed's 26-22 win over the Cutters last week. If he passes a fitness test on his hamstring, Tom Merritt could come in at fullback for Jahrome Hughes (shoulder); while prop Reg Saunders has served a three-game suspension and could come into contention. This will be a game of milestones with Tweed co-captain James Wood to play his 200th Cup game; making him the 12th player to do so and the sixth to play 200 for a single club. Jets half Dane Phillips (Eas/SL) will also lace the boots for his 100th Cup game. This will also be the final game for a competition stalwart - with both clubs farewelling key players. Jets centre Brendon Marshall (152 games; 59 tries; 50 goals; overall 336 points) and Seagulls co-captain Matt King (190 games for Tweed {231 overall including Souths Logan}, 37 tries, 3 goals, 1 FG, overall 155 points) have announced their intention to retire at the end of the season.

WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS v EASTS TIGERS
BMD Kougari Oval on Sunday, September 7- 2pm* (Live on Channel 9/WIN/NBN) 

Referee: Peter Gough
Head to Head: Wynnum 18 Easts 18 Drawn 1
Head-to-Head Finals: Easts 2 Wynnum 0 (2004 Preliminary Final, Easts 50 def Wynnum 24 Langlands; 1997 Qualifying Final Easts 14 def Wynnum 8 Kougari)
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #WYNvTIGES #09Sizzles
Livestream: http://www.qrl.com.au/interactive/live-stream.html
Call and preview from 1.45pm: http://www.spreaker.com/user/wynnumseagulls2014

If last weekend's final round thriller was a taste of things to come, then this Sunday's qualifying final between Wynnum Manly and Easts shapes as another mouth-watering contest. A 78th minute try secured the 18-14 victory for the bayside team last weekend; and in doing so, assured them of a home final. The Seagulls have had the Tigers' measure in recent times, having lost only three of the past 14 matches between the two sides. In saying this however, Easts enter the finals having won their past seven away games, and after last weekend's nail-biting performance, the side will be confident in their chances of turning things around and securing a win. Key to this goal is the inclusion of fullback Cameron Munster, who returns from a one-game suspension in place of Eddie Tautali. Tom Butterfield might have to wait to play his 50th game for Easts (and his 129th overall having previously played for Redcliffe) as he is battling a hamstring injury, with Liam Tyson taking his place at hooker. Felise Kaufusi and Donald Malone have been added to an extended bench. However, it has been reported that Mitch Garbutt is out of the match with a groin injury in a big blow to the side. Wynnum have made only one change to last weekend's side, naming Alehana Mara to start over Jake Granville; however Granville has not been named for the Broncos this weekend and will likely be a late inclusion. Meanwhile, Tigers coach Craig Ingebrigtsen will hope to celebrate his 50th game as coach with an important victory.

NSWRL VB NSW Cup Finals Week 1

Newcastle Knights (2) Vs Wentworthville Magpies (3)
Leichhardt Oval, Saturday, September 6
Kick-off: 12.40pm
Referee: Liam Nicholls
Broadcast: LIVE on Fox Sports 1 and Sky Sport NZ

Summary: Well it's the time of the year that we have all been waiting for and what better way to kick off the finals series than a match-up between the Knights and the Magpies. Arguably the hottest team in the competition right now, the Knights head into this clash riding the wave of a seven game winning streak that has seen them go from top eight fringe dwellers to legitimate title contenders. Their opposition in the Magpies had their colours lowered somewhat by the Panthers last weekend, however they had managed to string together three in a row prior to that, so they will certainly fancy their chances. In team news, Chad Redman was successful in seeking a downgrade on his striking charge and is now free to take his place for the Knights. As a result the Knights look set to field an identical side to the one that snuck home against the Jets at Hunter Stadium last Saturday. Newcastle will be hopeful of the win because the likes of Timana Tahu, Chanel Mata'utia and Travis Waddell would all likely return to his side in a fortnight's time. For Wenty, they have also named a similar side to the one that faced the Panthers but the inclusion of Pauli Pauli should add some extra starch to an already impressive pack. One issue for Wenty might be that the Eels will need a replacement for Ben Smith after he accepted the early guilty plea for a crusher tackle, and with Brad Arthur's cupboard looking bare, he may be forced to elevate one of Brett Cook's troops. There is some speculation that Bureta Faraimo is not far off a return from a knee injury, so don't be shocked to see him run out on Saturday. Their previous two meetings in 2014 haven't lacked for attack with some 130 points being posted and there is no reason to think that this match won't be a free flowing affair either.

2014 Head to Head Results:
Wentworthville Magpies 50 def. Newcastle Knights 32 at Ringrose Park (Round 8b)
Newcastle Knights 34 def. Wentworthville Magpies 14 at Newcastle No.2 Sports Ground (Round 16)

Prediction: Tipping the Knights to win in another nail-biter. Knights by 2.

Penrith Panthers (1) Vs Illawarra Cutters (4)
Leichhardt Oval, Sunday, September 7
Kick-off: 12.00pm
Referee: Daniel Olford
Broadcast: NSWRL Livestream
Broadcast: Radio Coverage courtesy of Steele Sports Radio (Link available viawww.steelesports.com.au)
Broadcast: Radio Coverage courtesy of 2GLF FM 89.3 (Link available via 893fm.com.au)
Broadcast: Radio Coverage courtesy of Hawkesbury Radio 89.9FM (Link available via www.hawkesburyradio.com.au)

Summary: Having wrapped up the minor premiership over a month ago, you would have forgiven the Panthers for clocking off a bit and to have started focusing on the finals. But this didn't happen as the Panthers reeled off five straight wins to finish the regular season following their shock loss to the Jets back in round 19. As a result, the Panthers finished the season on 44 competition points, eclipsing the record of 43 points set just last year by the eventual premiers in the Sharks. The Cutters should be fresh for this clash having had the bye last weekend, although they did lose three of their final four matches prior to that so perhaps the weeks break was a blessing in disguise leading into this clash against the Panthers. Despite going down in both previous meetings, the Cutters have given the Panthers a real run for their money on both occasions in 2014 and would rate themselves a real chance of knocking over the competition favourites. The Panthers received some good news last night when Tom Humble was found not guilty of a shoulder charge at the judiciary and is free to take his place in the side and Waqa Blake has also been named after playing in the Panthers Holden Cup side for the past few weeks. For the Cutters, Kyle Eather has moved into the six jersey to join Holden Cup TOTY member Drew Hutchison in the halves but they will be missing a few troops with players like Shane Pumipi and Kyle Stanley helping out in the NRL side for the final match of the year. The Panthers injury list has been talked about a lot in recent times but in some good news for Panthers fans, when NSWRL.com.au caught up with Kevin Kingston earlier in the week, he suggested that if the Panthers can get through to the preliminary final or obviously the grand final, his season, and career at the Panthers may not yet be over.

2014 Head to Head Results:

Penrith Panthers 19 def. Illawarra Cutters 18 at Collegians Sports Complex (Round 12)

Penrith Panthers 28 def. Illawarra Cutters 22 at Sportingbet Stadium (Round 14)

Prediction: The Panthers desperately need this win to earn a week off. Panthers by 6.

Mounties (5) Vs NZ Warriors (8)
Leichhardt Oval, Sunday, September 7
Kick-off: 2.00pm
Referee: Chris Treneman
Broadcast: NSWRL Livestream
Broadcast: Radio Coverage courtesy of Steele Sports Radio (Link available viawww.steelesports.com.au)
Broadcast: Radio Coverage courtesy of 2GLF FM 89.3 (Link available via 893fm.com.au)

Summary: It's do or die here when Mounties face off against the Warriors. In what was an amazing regular season, the Warriors secured their place inside the top eight in what was the final match of the season thanks to a 48-12 win over the Bears. The win was the Warriors first since round 20 when they accounted for Manly. At that stage the Warriors still looked a good chance of finishing in the top four, but after four successive losses, the Warriors only just ended up sneaking in. Mounties also spent plenty of time inside the top four during 2014 but despite winning four of their last six, Mounties have found themselves in a week one elimination final. Mounties fired up in the second half last week and accounted for the Sharks and will be hoping to continue the dominance that they have shown over the Warriors in 2014 as they have managed to pile on 84 points in their two meetings. Despite the Warriors indifferent form to finish the season, perhaps they played their way into some form last Sunday, and with nothing to lose, expect them to throw a few curveballs at their opponents on the weekend. In team news, Mounties will carry a near unchanged side into this weekend's match and will be hopeful of progressing to week two when a number of players may become available. Mitch Cornish, Jeremy Hawkins and Matt McIlwrick to name a few could all be available next weekend if Mounties are able to overcome the Warriors. For the Warriors, Tangi Ropati replaces Jarrod Wilson and John Palavi comes in for Feleti Mateo who has been recalled to the NRL after starring in the Warriors win over the Bears.

2014 Head to Head Results:

Mounties 42 def. NZ Warriors 22 at Eden Park (Round 9)

Mounties 42 def. NZ Warriors 4 at Aubrey Keech Reserve (Round 21)

Prediction: Will go with Mounties but the Warriors are a big chance. Mounties by 4.

Wests Tigers (6) Vs Wyong Roos (7)
Leichhardt Oval, Sunday, September 7
Kick-off: 4.00pm
Referee: Adam Cassidy
Broadcast: NSWRL Livestream
Broadcast: Radio Coverage courtesy of Steele Sports Radio (Link available viawww.steelesports.com.au)
Broadcast: Radio Coverage courtesy of 2GLF FM 89.3 (Link available via 893fm.com.au)

Summary: It's all just a little bit of history repeating here as the Tigers and Roos are set to lock horns for the second consecutive week, and while the Roos season was on the line last Saturday, this time around, both sides know that there is no tomorrow. The Roos run to make the finals has been nothing short of amazing and their achievement to this point cannot be undersold. To win their last five matches, with four of those on the road against top eight opponents has been remarkable, and now that they have made their maiden finals series, look for the boys from the central coast to make some noise. For the Tigers, who were once sitting pretty inside the top four and being talked about as a real premiership threat, the season has obviously taken a turn for the worst off the back of a significant injury toll at the club. The Tigers will be hopeful of progressing here as at least five players named to play NRL this weekend could return next weekend if the Tigers can avoid elimination. Paul Fletcher was quite vocal following their ten point loss to the Roos last weekend and made it clear that the performance was nowhere near acceptable. Hopefully for the sake of their fans, the message has sunk in and they can give a better account of themselves this Sunday. We seem to say it every week of late but there are no injury concerns for Wyong and they will be at full strength once again on Sunday while Brenden Santi returns for the Tigers. There has been little between these two sides during their previous clashes in 2014 and you get the feeling that will be the case once again here.

2014 Head to Head Results:

Wests Tigers 28 def. Wyong Roos 18 at Morry Breen Oval (Round 3)

Wyong Roos 26 def. Wests Tigers 16 at Campbelltown Sports Stadium (Round 25)

Prediction: Momentum is a funny thing in rugby league and Wyong certainly has it at present. Roos by 4.

NSWRL Ron Massey Cup Finals Week 1

Cabramatta Two Blues (5) Vs Auburn Warriors (8)
Lidcombe Oval, Saturday, September 6
Kick-off: 1.30pm
Referee: Jeff Hartup
Broadcast: Radio Coverage courtesy of Triple H FM (Link available via www.triplehfm.com.au/hhh

Summary: The Auburn Warriors head into the finals off the back of losing three of their last four, which ended up costing them any chance of a top four finish. The Two Blues on the other hand have peaked at the right time of the year having won their last three matches, all against top eight opponents. A big win over the Tigers last weekend will see Cabra full of confidence and the inclusion of several big name performers like Andrew Pearn and Josh Davis will see Cabra hard to beat. Auburn will be relying on the likes of Matt Utai, Arthur Little and Luke Ferry to lead the way if they are to advance to the second week of the finals. Luke Lavender bagged a hat trick for Cabra last week and along with the likes of Shannon Gallant and Chris Taripo will need to be watched closely by the Warriors defence. Auburn have knocked over Cabra in both of their meetings this season, but the Two Blues are arguably playing some of their best footy of the year.

Prediction: The Warriors are a good chance but Cabra look to have come good at the right time. Two Blues by 7.

Mounties (2) Vs Asquith Magpies (3)
Lidcombe Oval, Saturday, September 6
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Drew Oultram
Broadcast: Radio Coverage courtesy of Triple H FM (Link available via www.triplehfm.com.au/hhh)

Summary: Another mouthwatering final awaits us here as Mounties tackle Asquith at Lidcombe Oval. In the final wash-up, just one competition point separated these two sides at the end of the regular season. Mounties finished up with the better attack and Asquith the stouter defence. During their two meetings this year, Asquith sneaked home by seven points in round four and then nothing could separate the two sides in round 15 when they played out a 28 all draw. Mounties head into this one having won three of their last four outings while Asquith have remained unbeaten since round 17. Mounties have a star-studded backline with a workman like pack while Asquith have been the quiet achievers of 2014, often only winning by slender margins, but still getting the job done all the same. Look for opposing halves in Joey Bond (Mounties) and Aaron Groom (Asquith) to lead the charge for their respective sides.

Prediction: There will be nothing in it, perhaps Mounties in a nail-biter. Mounties by 2.

Wentworthville Magpies (1) Vs The Entrance Tigers (4)
Ringrose Park, Saturday, September 6
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Scot Murray

Summary: The Wentworthville Magpies will be looking to get their finals campaign off to the perfect start this weekend as they attempt to claim back-to-back Ron Massey Cup titles. Wentworthville bounced back from their shock 25-4 loss a fortnight ago to score an emphatic 42-10 victory over the Windsor Wolves last weekend and will be primed to produce their best against the Tigers. Finishing the season as the best attacking and defensive side in the competition, the strength of the Magpies is obvious and having a player in form like Keehan Diamond (who scored a hat-trick last weekend) starting from the bench is testament to this. The Entrance will be thankful for their good start to the year after winning only two of their previous five games leading into the finals. The Tigers were thumped 42-18 by Cabramatta last weekend and can ill afford to repeat that performance against Wentworthville. The Tigers have plenty of experience in their side and will look to the likes of Jake Fitzpatrick and Ryan O'Hara to lead the way. Alan Mulia Malau is an excitement machine and will test the Magpies defence at every given opportunity.

Prediction: With a home crowd behind them, we're expecting Wenty to produce on the day and be too strong for the Tigers. Magpies by 10.

Guildford Owls (6) Vs Western Suburbs Magpies (7)
McCredie Park, Sunday, September 7
Kick-off: 3.30pm
Referee: Damian Briscoe

Summary: It's do or die for the Owls and Magpies this weekend as they go head-to-head in an elimination final at McCredie Park. Western Suburbs have won three of their last five matches heading into the finals and were extremely competitive in their two losses during that period. The Magpies accounted for Burwood 48-26 last weekend with Jerome Mose bagging a double in a strong display. Look for his fellow backs Trent Jennings, Sam Aiga and Tala Mapasone to test the Owls defence. Guildford will be looking to bounce back against Wests after going down to Asquith last weekend. The Owls finished just one point clear of Wests on the competition ladder and were 44-22 victors the last time the teams met back in Round 14. Shane Hunt, Jason Gray and Vincent Fonoti have formed a dangerous back three over the last few weeks and will look to challenge the Magpies defence.

Prediction: A do-or-die clash ensures that anything can happen, but we're leaning towards Guildford… but only just. Owls by 4.