Queensland Cup Preview - Rnd 20

Full preview notes and teams for Round 20 of the Queensland Wizard Cup.

Three of these games in particular will go a long way to deciding the finals make-up:
Toowoomba v Norths
North Queensland v Redcliffe
Tweed Heads v Burleigh.

TOOWOOMBA v NORTHS
Clive Berghofer Stadium, Saturday August 5, 2pm *Live on ABC TV
Referee: Michael Wise

THE STORY: Toowoomba?s quest for the minor premiership receives a boost with NRL youngsters Joel Moon and Fraser Anderson back. In threatening form of late, Norths has lost the big quartet of Chris Walker, Jamie Feeney, Aaron Bulow and Scott Anderson. Walker has been released, Feeney will be rested, while both Bulow (knee) and Anderson (foot) are injured.

THE STAT: In head-to-head clashes Norths leads Toowoomba 11-8, with one draw. These matches are always keenly contested, with many junior representative teammates and future NRL players doing battle.

THE STAR: Phil Wuersching has been named to play his first Wizard Cup game since recording 7 games in the 2004 season alongside the likes of Ryan Hoffman, Antonio Kaufusi and Dallas Johnson. Wuersching was captain of the Queensland Rangers team which toured NZ this year.

CHANGES: TOOWOOMBA ? In: Jason Moon, Joel Moon, Fraser Anderson. Out: Pat Dall, Ben Green, Ian Lacey.
NORTHS ? In: Jackson Nicolau, Brenton Stonier, Phil Wuersching, Matthew Bartlett. Out: Chris Walker, Jamie Feeney, Aaron Bulow, Scott Anderson.

CHARGES: NORTHS ? Will Scanlon (Grade 2 Dangerous Throw, Early Plea, 2wks + 43pts)

Toowoomba Clydesdales
Players:
1. Todd PARNELL
2. Denan KEMP
3. Steve MICHAELS
4. Jason MOON
5. Gideon MZEMBE
6. Joel MOON
7. Brett SEYMOUR
13. Derricke WATKINS
12. Ben VAEAU
11. Fraser ANDERSON
10. Ben HANNANT
9. John TE REO
8. Nick KENNY (c)
Interchange:
14. David TAYLOR
15. Lynden MURPHY
16. Lachlan MORGAN
17. Jamie SIMPSON
Coach: Mark GEE

Norths Devils
Players:
1. Smith SAMAU
2. Chad LEACH
3. Jackson NICOLAU
4. Ryan SHORTLAND
5. Steve FRANCISCUS
6. Michael BOND
7. Isaac KAUFMANN
13. Trent HENRICK
12. Sam TAGATAESE
11. Matthew BARTLETT
10. Jeff LIMA
9. James AUBUSSON
8. Troy HANSEN
Interchange:
14. Brenton STONIER
15. Brendan AFITU
16. Phil WUERSCHING
17. Aaron MORGAN
Coach: Wayne TRELEAVEN

SOUTHS LOGAN v WYNNUM MANLY
Brandon Park, Saturday August 5, 3pm
Referee: Justin Eastwood

THE STORY: Plenty of pride will be at stake in the ?Battle of the Birds?, a fierce clash ever since the two sides contested grand finals in 1982, 1984 and 1985. Both teams will be looking to climb a few rungs before the end of the season and build some momentum for 2007. Past players from the Magpies and Seagulls have dominated the 4BC Brisbane Rugby League Team of the 80s.

THE STAT: Souths has not won more than five games in a season since the year 2000, when they claimed eight victories. That year the Magpies fielded Paul Whatuira, Francis Meli, Awen Guttenbeil, Monty Betham, Henry Faafili, Clinton Toopi and Ali Lauti?iti.

THE STAR: Colourful ball-playing forward Jim Baira keeps his spot in the Wynnum Manly side after impressing against Toowoomba last week. Another Queensland Rangers representative from 2006, he played 10 games for Souths Logan last year and has played Foley Shield.

CHANGES: SOUTHS LOGAN ? In: Damian Willis, Stan Fau. Out: Chris Sandow, Mase Laulu-Togagae.
WYNNUM MANLY ? In: Bill Wyatt, Daniel Evans. Out: Chris Currie, Gary Winter.

CHARGES: None

Souths Logan Magpies
Players:
1. Quentin LAULU-TOGAGAE
2. Tyrone COPPEDGE
3. Michael ANSCHAU
4. Damian WILLIS
5. Derek FLETCHER
6. Brandon COSTIN
7. Phil DENNIS
13. Jason MITCHELL
12. Tanu WULF
11. Jerry AHERN
10. Josh GRIFFITH
9. Cameron JOYCE
8. Angus MARTIN
Interchange:
14. Stanley FAU
15. Chris McGURK
16. Shaun NIPPERESS
17. Tim CANNARD
Coach: Mark GLIDDON

Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Players:
1. Tangi ROPATI
2. Rodney BARBA
3. Brian JELLICK
4. Steve IRWIN
5. Bill WYATT
6. Jim AHMAT
7. Albert TALIPEAU
13. Luke DALZIEL-DON
12. Darren BAIN
11. John BRUCE
10. Sam CRABB
9. Zac CHISHOLM
8. Fili SOFA
Interchange:
14. Josh ROVELLI
15. Jim BAIRA
16. Daniel EVANS
17. Kerry SMITH
Coach: Neil WHARTON

NORTH QLD v REDCLIFFE
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Saturday August 5, 5.30pm
Referee: Gavin Morris

THE STORY: Those who get to the ground early for Saturday?s Cowboys v Bulldogs clash at Dairy Farmers Stadium will be treated to a fine double-header. North Queensland and Redcliffe were tipped at the start of the season as likely Wizard Cup grand finalists ? and they have done little to change that line of thought. Earlier this year the Dolphins got up 16-14 in an absolute ripper of a clash.

THE STAT: Out of the 10 Queensland Wizard Cup seasons until now, there has only been one occasion when a team has lost more than five games in the regular season and gone on to win the premiership. As it stands Redcliffe has lost five games and North Queensland has lost three.

THE STAR: Rory Bromley has been recalled to the Redcliffe team in place of winger Chris Giumelli. In Round 10 against the Young Guns Bromley scored a match-equalling try with 20 seconds remaining, before Greg Bourke slotted the conversion for the win. The Baralaba speedster played for North Queensland in the 2005 grand final.

CHANGES: NORTH QLD ? In: Neil Sweeney, Josh Hannay, Shane Muspratt, Daniel Strickland, Rod Jensen. Out: Ty Williams, Dean Payne, Ben Lowe, Greg Byrnes, Scott Smith.
REDCLIFFE ? In: Rory Bromley. Out: Chris Giumelli.

CHARGES: None

North Qld Young Guns
Players:
1. Jason BARSLEY
2. Neil SWEENEY
3. Josh HANNAY
4. Jamie FRIZZO
5. Brenton BOWEN
6. Shane MUSPRATT
7. Brent McCONNELL
13. Rod JENSEN
12. Scott BOLTON
11. Daniel STRICKLAND (c)
10. Sam FAUST
9. Clint AMOS
8. Ray CASHMERE
Interchange:
14. Brett FIRMAN
15. Leigh COGHILL
16. Jim ANDERSEN
17. Mark DALLE CORT
Coach: Mick CRAWLEY

Redcliffe Dolphins
Players:
1. Ryan CULLEN
2. Kaine MANIHERA
3. Greg BOURKE
4. Nick EMMETT
5. Rory BROMLEY
6. Chris FOX
7. Marty TURNER
13. Gerard PARLE
12. Danny BURKE
11. Grant FLUGGE
10. Adam STARR
9. Michael ROBERTS
8. Troy LINDSAY (c)
Interchange:
14. Nick WALKER
15. Mark SHIPWAY
16. Danny GREEN
17. Pat GARDNER
Coach: Anthony GRIFFIN

CENTRAL v IPSWICH
Browne Park, Saturday August 5, 7.30pm
Referee: Clayton Sharpe

THE STORY: With the finals of the Rockhampton and Gladstone leagues kicking off this Sunday, the people of Central Queensland are bracing themselves for a bumper weekend of football. The Wizard Cup game on Saturday night presents an interesting clash between a Central team which has improved greatly this season and an Ipswich team finding some form.

THE STAT: Central?s last three games will be at home and if the Comets can beat the Jets, Norths and Easts, they could potentially finish as high as equal-sixth. Ipswich could finish equal-eighth if it wins all its games.

THE STAR: Former Australian Universities representative Marty Hatfield seems to have won favour with Comets coach Matt Parish, named for his third Wizard Cup game in a row. Last week during the bye he starred for Rockhampton Brothers as they upset local league heavyweight CQU Norths 44-16. Brothers coach Steve Parle labelled Hatfield ?just outstanding? in the Morning Bulletin.

CHANGES: CENTRAL ? In: Tyron Haynes, Aaron Sweeney. Out: Jade Wogand, Callum Wilson.
IPSWICH ? In: Brendon Marshall. Out: Josh Costello.

CHARGES: None

Central Comets
Players:
1. Jimmy McCONACHY
2. Marty HATFIELD
3. Guy WILLIAMS
4. Misi TAULAPAPA
5. McConkie TAUASA
6. Scott PORTER
7. Cheyenne MOTU
13. Matt RUA
12. Wayne BARNETT (c)
11. Tyron HAYNES
10. Peter PENAIA
9. Herewini RANGI
8. Aaron SWEENEY
Interchange:
14. Mark SINIULA
15. Kristian MENE
16. Michael ESDALE
17. Marty OBORN
Coach: Matt PARISH

Ipswich Jets
Players:
1. Brendon MARSHALL
2. Ben McFADGEAN
3. Rickie DODD
4. Chris SCANLAN
5. Jonathon MUIR
6. Travis BAKER
7. Ricky BIRD
13. Danny COBURN (c)
12. Joel REITHMULLER
11. Daniel FULLARTON
10. Isaak AH MAU
9. McKenna GIBSON
8. Cameron MULCAHY
Interchange:
14. Matt McPHEE
15. Mathew CAMERON
16. Tyson LOFIPO
17. Aaron WERTH
Coach: Trevor GILLMEISTER

TWEED HEADS v BURLEIGH
Piggabeen Complex, Sunday August 6, 3pm
Referee: Brett Suttor

THE STORY: One of the biggest games of the season. Perhaps the most emotive local derby in the Wizard Cup and a game which could alter both teams? finals hopes. Burleigh is desperately trying to scrape into the top five, while Tweed Heads could finish as high as third or as low as seventh. With the Gold Coast Titans arriving in the NRL next year, plenty of players are out to impress.

THE STAT: Burleigh leads Tweed Heads 4-3 in head-to-head clashes since the Seagulls were admitted to the competition in 2003. Burleigh has missed the finals just once since entering the Cup, while Tweed has made the finals only once before.

THE STAR: There are some fantastic clashes across the park. Nat Barnes v Trent Purdon was a scintillating duel back in Round 10, while strong centres Josh Vaughan and Jordan Atkins are keen to do battle again. Up front you have team leaders Ryan Gundry and Matt King at hooker, with no-nonsense men Ali Brown and Andrew Moroney by their sides.

CHANGES: TWEED HEADS ? In: Matt Briggs. Out: Matt Austin.
BURLEIGH ? In: Brett O?Farrell. Out: Josh Blatch

CHARGES: TWEED HEADS ? Matt Austin (Grade 1 Dangerous Throw + 30% + 68pts, Early Plea, 1 wk + 89pts)

Tweed Heads
Players:
1. Ryan MILLIGAN
2. Nat BARNES
3. James WOOD
4. Josh VAUGHAN
5. Ryan O'CONNELL
6. Brad DAVIS
7. Paul ROLLS
13. Matt POW
12. Dean ALLEN
11. Tom PRICHARD
10. Roy FRIEND
9. Matt KING
8. Andrew MORONEY
Interchange:
14. Matt BRIGGS
15. Selasi BERDIE
16. Cory BOND
17. Josh PEACOCK
Coach: Steve MURPHY

Burleigh Bears
Players:
1. Reggie CRESSBROOK
2. Trent PURDON
3. Trent LEIS
4. Jordan ATKINS
5. Aseri LAING
6. Jamie RUSSO
7. Clay HARRIS
13. Robert APANUI
12. Adam HUTCHISON
11. Martin GRIESE
10. Shane O'FLANAGAN
9. Ryan GUNDRY
8. Ali BROWN
Interchange:
14. James GRIFFITHS
15. Brett O?FARRELL
16. Luke MERCER
17. Marty MITCHELL
Coach: Jimmy LENIHAN

Easts ? Bye

CHARGES: Damien Durnford (Grade 1 Careless High Tackle, Easrly Plea, 0wks + 56pts)