QUEENSLAND CUP
ROUND 10 PREVIEW

NORTHS v BURLEIGH Bishop Park, 2pm Saturday, May 21.

Norths teen Sika Manu has been given special allowance to make his State League debut in the eagerly anticipated top-of-the-table showdown against Burleigh.

A Junior Kiwi in 2004, Sika (full name Sikalamu) is the brother of Siosefu Manu (pictured), who played off the bench for Norths? victorious Mixwell Colts grand final team last season. There are two more Manu brothers playing for Norths in junior grades this season.

Having relocated from New Zealand in the offseason, 101kg Sika was only this week selected for the Queensland Maroons Under 19s team. Typically players in this squad are asked to stand down from club duty, however Norths and NRL affiliate Melbourne have been caught short due to a host of representative commitments and injuries.

The Devils are celebrating the club?s latest State of Origin selection. As well as ?old hands? Billy Slater and Cameron Smith, Matt King will play the first game in the series.

In a flashback to 2003, King was a late recruit to a Norths team which had lost seven games in a row. The big three-quarter scored 11 tries in eight games, helping the club improve a 2-8 record to 10-11 before the end of the year. After just three games King was picked for Queensland Residents alongside Scott Prince, Barry Berrigan, Craig Frawley and David Seage.

Meanwhile, Burleigh has named hitman Robert Apanui to make his return from a dislocated shoulder on the Bears? interchange. The Gold Coast club has won 16 of its last 18 games, stretching back to last season.

Bears cult hero Reggie Cressbrook recently welcomed his third child with partner Danielle, baby Caprice. Justin Eastwood has been named referee for the ABC TV game.

NORTHS: Quentin Laulu-Togagae, Aaron Morgan, Josh Tatupu, Ryan Shortland, Chad Leach, Jeremiah Pai, Marc Brentnall, Pat Gardner, Nathan Friend, Antonio Kaufusi, Aaron Bulow, Jeremy Smith, Anthony Boyd ?. Interchange: Brent Mulholland, Rob Tanielu, Adam Blair, Sika Manu.

BURLEIGH: Reggie Cressbrook, Trent Purdon, Balin Cupples, Trent Leis, Aseri Laing, Adam hayden, David Hicks, Ali Brown ?, Ryan Gundry, Shane O?Flanagan, Martin Griese, Adam Hutchinson, Adrian Vowles. Interchange: James Griffiths, Scott Cooke, Jeremy Lateo, Robert Apanui. _______________________________________________ TOOWOOMBA v SOUTHS LOGAN Clive Berghofer Stadium, 4.45pm Saturday, May 21.

The Clydesdales have brought out the big guns for their first game of the year in Toowoomba, naming Dane Carlaw, Darren Mapp and Sam Thaiday up front.

Having played all their earlier matches either away or at Suncorp Stadium, the ?Dales return to the range smarting from a 42-16 loss against Burleigh in Round Nine, their worst result in three years.

Carlaw and Thaiday are both slated to make comebacks from shoulder injury, while Mapp is available due to a bye for the Broncos in the NRL. Coach John Dixon said he could not guarantee all would play however and has kept Anthony Seibold as captain, despite him being named on the bench.

Stuart Kelly and Greg Eastwood are unavailable with injury, while Berrick Barnes and Steve Michaels are in camp with the XXXX Queensland Under 19s.

For Souths Logan, halfback Scott Smith is welcomed back with open arms after serving a two-game suspension. Due to the bye and representative fixtures, he has not played for over a month.

Other changes for the Magpies see US Tomahawks player Ashley Lanfranchi win a starting berth, while Tanu Wulf has been named on the bench. Callum Belsham, son of QRL development officer Steve, has kept the hooker spot after impressing in the club?s 28-all draw with Central.

Referee for Saturday afternoon?s match at the old Athletic Oval is Brett Suttor.

TOOWOOMBA: Nick Parfitt, Tame Tupou, Derricke Watkins, Joe Clarke, Liam Campbell, Tony Duggan, Ian Lacey, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Michael Ryan, Darren Mapp, Sam Thaiday, Dane Carlaw, Neale Wyatt. Interchange: Anthony Seibold ?, Michael Bond, Nick Kenny, Ben Vaeau.

SOUTHS LOGAN: Eddie Dodd, Jacob Christie, Nathaniel Bowman, Bob Blair, Matt Templeman, Cameron Joyce, Scott Smith, Stan Fau, Callum Belsham, Ashley Lafranchi, Darren Glase ?, Matt Bell, Marvin Alo. Interchange: Shaun Nipperess, Grant Lewis, Jim Baira, Tanu Wulf. _______________________________________________

IPSWICH v TWEED HEADS QLD Group Stadium, 6pm Saturday, May 21.

An important game for both sides if they are to put their finals aspirations back on track.

Ipswich is currently seven points outside the top five, while Tweed Heads is three points away from the lead pack.

Jets coach Trevor Gillmeister has switched Andy Poynter and Luke Walker around so that Poynter is now fullback and Walker is on the wing. Jamie Tomlinson is replaced on the interchange by Marcus Jensen.

Tweed Heads has benefited from the return of forwards Tom Prichard (virus) and Ben Quinlan (hamstring), but Nathan Cross is out indefinitely after fracturing his skull.

Positional changes see James Wood go from fullback to centre, switching roles with Ryan O?Connell.

This particular Queensland Wizard Cup fixture will run prior to a Legends of League match, drawing the battle-lines early for the annual Queensland v New South Wales exchange.

In previous seasons, Ipswich has used its home ground advantage for a 38-8 win and a 48-10 victory, but head-to-head the clubs are square 2-all since Tweed entered the comp.

From their last starts, Ipswich lost 30-24 against Wynnum, while Tweed Heads drew 14-all with the North Queensland Young Guns.

Tony Long has been bestowed refereeing duties for the match at QLD Group Stadium.

IPSWICH: Andy Poynter, Steven West, Geoff Chalk, Jonathon Muir, Luke Walker, Brendon Lindsay, Ricky Bird, Grant Young, Adam Boettcher, Mat Cameron, Steele Retchless, Matthew McPhee, Daniel Coburn ?. Interchange: Bevn Heuir, Shannon Cameron, Marcus Jensen, Todd Riggs.

TWEED HEADS: Ryan O?Connell, Nathaniel Barnes, David Strachan, James Wood, Nathan Small, Brad Davis, Tim Maccan, Tom Prichard, Matt King, Eddie Harrison, Ben Quinlan, Andrew Moroney ?, Ben Hill. Interchange: Jeff Moate, Kristin Green, Cory Bond, Luke Kelly, Selasi Berdie, Jay Hampson, Josh Vaughan. _______________________________________________

WYNNUM v EASTS Kougari Oval, 3pm Sunday, May 22.

Reigning G Sunstate Player of the Year Jace Van Dijk is set to slot back into Wynnum?s team for this Sunday?s local derby against Easts.

Absent from the Seagulls? last-up win against Ipswich, halfback Van Dijk has recovered sufficiently from a hamstring strain and wins his spot back from Caleb McEniery.

Opposite number Jason Connors is also recovered from injury and slots back into Easts? side along with sorely-missed skipper Darren Smith.

Trevor Exton gets a deserved start in the front row, while versatile Matt Lockyer is named fullback after a brief stint at lock.

Both matches between these clubs were close last season, with the home side gaining the advantage in each encounter.

Should Wynnum win it will join Easts on 10 competition points on the ladder, but it is likely the Tigers would still hold the edge in points differential.

A win by Easts could move the black-and-golds to fourth spot, leap-frogging Redcliffe which has the bye this round.

Rob Alexander is the referee for the only Sunday afternoon match of the round.

WYNNUM: Daniel Sorbello, Simon Phillips, Jimmy Ahmat, Damien Quinn, Michael Anschau, Nathan Murphy, Jace Van Dijk ?, Clayton Maher, Royce Simms, Craig Greenhill, Gary Winter, Grant Stuart, John Bruce. Interchange: Peter Penaia, Danny McAllister, Gareth Turton, Brett McPherson.

EASTS: Matt Lockyer, Steve Beattie, Nigel Roy, Rob Maller, Walter Imo, Brandon Costin, Jason Connors, Dallas Hood, Steve Goodhew, Trevor Exton, Mark Cantoni, Marty Allen, Darren Smith ?. Interchange: Dean Howard, Scott Sipple, Rowan Graham, Scott Young. _______________________________________________

This week's ABC game is Norths vs Burleigh this Saturday at 2pm on ABC QLD. _______________________________________________

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