Rd 12 Intrust Super Cup Preview

by NRL

The Easts Tigers will play Souths Logan Magpies in Sunday's Intrust Super Cup match at Davies Park.

SUNSHINE COAST v CENTRAL QLD CAPRAS
Sunshine Coast Stadium; Saturday, June 2 - 5pm
Referee: Chris Anderson
Head to Head: Central 5 Sunshine Coast 3
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The Sea Eagles have suffered a blow with classy five-eighth Callum Klein ruled out for up to six weeks with a dislocated finger. With his twin brother Rowan Klein already ruled out for the season, the Sea Eagles' backline depth is being put to the test. Justin Otto slots in at five-eighth and classy fullback Hughie Stanley is free to play after accepting an early guilty plea following a dangerous contact charge. The Sea Eagles will be desperate to break a run of outs but they will meet a confident Capras outfit. The Central Queenslanders are coming off an outstanding 26-18 victory over the Easts Tigers. Capras officials have made it clear that 2012 is a rebuilding season, but if they grab another victory on Saturday night, a top five berth is suddenly within reach. The Capras will have plenty of admirers heading into this match, particularly as they beat the Sunshine Coast 40-22 in round one.

The mystery punter says: Central Capras by 6. The Capras have made giant strides in recent weeks and are capable of stringing a number of wins together.


MACKAY CUTTERS v REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS
Virgin Australia Stadium; Saturday, June 2 - 6pm
Referee: Peter Gough
Head to Head: Redcliffe 5 Mackay 3 Drawn 1
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Redcliffe livewire Joe Bond is poised to return to the Dolphins line up for Saturday's round 12 game in Mackay. Bond will have a final fitness tomorrow but is expected to play his first match since dislocating his elbow in round 7. His likely inclusion at fullback is a huge boost for the Dolphins, who won't have the services of Dane Gagai for the rest of the season after the former Bronco signed with the Newcastle Knights this week. Mackay fullback David Milne will also have to pass a fitness test to play on Saturday night. Milne is battling a knee injury and he may yet join starting forwards Lewis Balcomb, Dane Hogan and Luke Young on the sidelines. The Cutters have endured a wretched run with injuries this year, with as many as 12 front-line players out of action this weekend. However, the Cutters can take confidence from their impressive home record against the Dolphins, having recorded a draw and two wins over the competition heavyweights in their three most recent matches in Mackay. This will be Mackay's 100th Cup game they have won 40, drawn four and lost 55.

The mystery punter says: Redcliffe Dolphins by 12. The Dolphins rarely lose two games in a row, and they should have too much strikepower for an injury-hit Cutters team.


IPSWICH JETS v NORTHERN PRIDE
North Ipswich Reserve; Sunday, June 3 - 2.10pm (live on Channel 9)
Referee: Chris Butler
Head to Head: Pride 8 Ipswich 3 Drawn 1
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With Trilby Misso sponsoring the game day, the gates will be thrown open on Sunday afternoon for the Channel 9 clash between two semi-final aspirants. Rugby league fans are encouraged to take advantage of the free entry and a bumper day of rugby league, which also includes the 12.30pm final of the State Women's Championships. The Intrust Super Cup match promises to be an exciting contest, with both teams scoring some spectacular tries in their big victories last week. The Ipswich left side combination of Donald Malone and Jarrod McInally scored six tries between them against Norths in a devastating double act. Pride skipper Ty Williams and representative centre Brett Anderson were just as potent for their team in last Saturday's convincing 32-18 win over Redcliffe. The Pride have an outstanding record against the Jets, losing only one of their past eight encounters. However, the Far North Queensland team have lost their past four away games and will need to improve their record on the road if they are to nail down a top five position. On the milestone front, Ipswich centre Brendan Marshall plays his 100th Cup game for Ipswich, while dynamic back-rower Lorenzo Maafu turns out for his 50th game for the Jets.

The mystery punter says: Northern Pride by 10. The Pride put in their best performance of the season against Redcliffe last week, and the northerners will be hard to hold out if they reproduce that effort.


TWEED HEADS v WYNNUM MANLY
Piggabeen Sports Complex; Sunday, June 3 - 3pm
Referee: Clayton Sharpe
Head to Head: Tweed 11 Wynnum 11
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This match-up almost speaks for itself so strong is the new rivalry between these two teams. After going down by only two points in their grand final rematch in round 1 it is now the Tweed Heads Seagulls' turn to host Wynnum Manly in what is set to be a blockbuster game. By his own admission Paul Green's side has been below their best in recent weeks, but they returned to peak form in spectacular fashion in their 48-6 win against Mackay last weekend. Tweed Heads although also winners last round had a contrasting match and left it until the final moments to snatch a 23-16 win over Souths Logan. Both sides can lay claim to a slight statistical advantage with Tweed Heads Seagulls having won their past five home games, while Wynnum have won the past three games between the two sides. With his first half double last weekend for Wynnum, former Tweed Heads winger Nathanael Barnes moved to outright fourth in the all time Cup try scorers list with 97. His team-mate Matt Seamark, who kicked six goals in the win, became Wynnum's top Cup point scorer on 498. Tweed forward Aaron Cannings will achieve a milestone of his own this weekend when he runs out for his 50th Cup game (having also pulled on the boots for Ipswich).

The mystery punter says: Let's go all out and tip a draw. Why not both sides are in good form and while Wynnum's recent form is probably better Tweed have the home ground advantage and may also be spurred by the desire for revenge.


SOUTHS LOGAN v EASTS TIGERS
Davies Park; Sunday, June 3 - 3pm
Referee: Tim Rutherford
Head to Head: Easts 21 Souths Logan 11
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The Brisbane rivals have had contrasting starts to the season but both will be equally desperate to take home the two points here. Although the Magpies have now gone six games without a win, they have continued to improve their performances in recent weeks and would feel like they are close to a drought-breaking win soon. The Tigers on the other hand, have lost their bearings a little after a superb start to the season, and have now lost three of the past five games including a 26-18 defeat last weekend at the hands of the CQ Capras. Troy McCarthy has made a number of changes to the losing team, with young back Corbin Kiernan named to make his Intrust Super Cup debut. Other changes see McKanah Gibson recalled to the hooking role, while prop Liufau Hala will line up for his first ISC game of 2012. Melbourne Storm contracted playmaker Luke Kelly returns in the place of Grant Giess who dislocated his shoulder playing in his debut match last weekend. Magpies Andrew Edwards and Dane Phillips are both celebrating their 50th Cup games with Edwards having played all his matches with the Souths Logan side while Philips previously played at Easts.

The mystery punter says: Easts Tigers by 4. The Tigers would have been very disappointed by their performance last week and will draw on their experience to overpower the Magpies who will have to wait another week for a win.


NORTHS DEVILS v BURLEIGH BEARS
Bishop Park; Sunday, June 3 - 3pm
Referee: Nick Kalpakidis
Head to Head: Burleigh 20 Norths 13
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The resurgent Burleigh Bears will travel to Bishop Park this weekend and will be hoping to post their third straight win. After a disappointing start to the season the Bears have finally managed to win back-to-back games and live up to their early promise. However, they have lost their past seven away games and will need to work hard to correct this record, especially against a Devils side which can score points from anywhere on the field. The core of the Burleigh side has remained fairly stable for much of the year however, this week sees the return of Anthony Don to the centres and Dave Sheehan on the wing. There aren't many occasions where a team posts 30 points and loses, but that is exactly what happened to the Norths Devils last weekend in their 42-30 loss to the Ipswich Jets. It has been a pattern of their season so far, the Devils demonstrating they have little trouble scoring points only to let themselves down in defence. The Bears however, have a good defensive record but have had difficulty scoring enough points to win crucial matches. In team changes for Norths, Lachlan Maranta will line-up at five-eighth at the expense of Ben Sullivan, while Chris Binge has been called on to the bench.

The mystery punter says: Burleigh Bears by 6. Although they have a poor away record this year they have gained confidence in recent weeks and will have a point to prove against the Devils.

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