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Opinion
The 2020 Intrust Super Cup promises to be another exciting and entertaining instalment of Queensland’s premier rugby league competition as 14 teams battle for supremacy.
Several intriguing questions wait to be answered. Can anyone equal the Sunshine Coast Falcons’ unprecedented 21 wins from last season? Can the Burleigh Bears do what no team has done in nearly a decade and win back-to-back titles?
Here are my thoughts on the 2020 Intrust Super Cup.
Burleigh Bears
2019 finish: third, grand final winners
Predicted 2020 finish: top two
The defending champions have retained the majority of their grand final-winning side from and their preseason included an impressive 18-16 defeat of the Gold Coast Titans. They have a powerful pack including Luke Page, Hayden Schwass and Blake Leary and what is essentially an NRL spine featuring Kurtis Rowe, Jamal Fogarty and Pat Polotini. Captain Page is one of seven players (also Rowe, Fogarty, Politini, Leary, Sami Sauliuma and Schwass) who are all dual premiership winners at this level and provide the Bears with enviable experience. The experienced Rick Stone returns as coach.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Townsville Blackhawks
2019 finish: fourth
Predicted 2020 finish: top two
Fast becoming the competition’s perennial under achievers, it is time for the Blackhawks to make a statement. They have recruited well, with New Zealand international Josh Hoffman bringing 189 games of NRL experience. A world-class finisher on his day, Hoffman has the potential to be devastating at this level and it will be interesting to see where he is used. Former Storm and Dragons forward Patrick Kaufusi joins the squad along with former Hunter Moses Meninga and the two of them will add depth, particularly with Tom Gilbert seemingly NRL bound. Hooker Kris Freeman remains one of the most underrated players in the competition and will again be a key man for the Blackhawks.
Souths Logan Magpies
2019 finish: tenth
Predicted 2020 finish: third to sixth
They have recruited exceptionally well with Darren Nicholls, Christian Hazard, James Taylor and Jack Goodsell just some of the players set to call Davies Park home in 2020. They are also set to benefit from their association with the Broncos with exciting youngsters Tesi Niu and Cory Paix among a host of baby Broncos allocated to the Magpies. Coach Jon Buchanan is one of the most astute coaches going around and his team will be one of the big improvers in 2020.
Wynnum Manly Seagulls
2019 finish: sixth
Predicted 2020 finish: third to sixth
One of the competition’s perennial heavyweights, the Seagulls will be disappointed with losing last year’s grand final and will doubtless be looking to go one better this season. They have gone for quality over quantity in their recruitment, with a rejuvenated Lloyd Perrett and Lachlan Maranta both looking to remind everyone that their days at the top level are not behind them. Trips to BMD Kougari Oval are never easy for travelling teams or their fans and 2020 will be no different.
Redcliffe Dolphins
2019 finish: seventh
Predicted 2020 finish: third to sixth
Much like Wynnum Manly, Redcliffe are another of the competition heavyweights, and are looking to bigger and better things in 2020. They are another who have recruited very well, with BJ Aufaga-To’omaga, Marmin Barba and Jonathon Reuben all set to flourish outside Jayden Nikorima and Cameron Cullen. The Dolphins will finish high up the ladder and will represent an imposing challenge to whoever has to meet them in the finals, especially if they secure a home semi-final.
Tweed Head Seagulls
2019 finish: sixth
Predicted 2020 finish: third to sixth
Fresh off the back of a successful 2019, Ben Woolf’s Seagulls will be looking to push on and make another finals appearance this year. The vast majority of last year’s squad have returned, including captain John Palavi, the exciting Lindon McGrady and the dangerous, Titans-contracted Treymain Spry. Former Super League and NRL player Fetuli Talanoa has joined the squad and will bring invaluable experience. They will surprise a few people this year.
Sunshine Coast Falcons
2019 finish: seventh
Predicted 2020 finish: seventh or eighth
The recruitment of PNG international Tom Butterfield is a very smart piece of business by new Falcons coach Sam Mawhinney. He will work well with fellow recruit Luke Capewell and the dynamic Todd Murphy, who will again lead the team around the field. The three playmakers will benefit from playing behind a big, powerful pack including the seemingly indestructible Dane Hogan and the highly regarded Sam Lavea, who could well prove to be the buys of the season. Last year the Falcons benefitted immensely from Storm players Harry Grant and Nicho Hynes, however it seems unlikely either will feature regularly in the Intrust Super Cup this season. The Falcons will be looking for a similar impact from their Storm-allocated players this season if they are go to deep into the finals.
Easts Tigers
2019 finish: eighth
Predicted 2020 finish: seventh or eighth
New coach Craig Hodges will bring a refreshed and professional approach to the club. Retirements and departures have hit the Tigers hard, however they still boast a strong core group including Jack Svendsen, Brett Greinke and Jack Peoples. Hooker Aaron Booth showed signs of brilliance last season but was battered by injuries, so he will be hoping for an injury free 2020 to show what he can do. Brenko Lee signed with the Tigers and they will be hoping he sees at least some game time at Langlands Park before the Storm decide to use him in first grade. Other Melbourne Storm players allocated to the Tigers include Kelma Tuilagi, crowd favourite Albert Vete and Aaron Pene.
Norths Devils
2019 finish: fifth
Predicted 2020 finish: mid table (seventh to ninth)
The Devils showed what they are capable of in 2019 and will be hoping the additions of Bryce Donovan, Tony Tumusa and Carne Doyle-Manga can help push them even further in 2020. I see them sitting just outside the top eight at season’s end, however stringing a run of wins together could see them finishing in the top eight and once you are in the finals series anything is possible.
PNG Hunters
2019 finish: 13th
Predicted 2020 finish: tenth
Season 2019 was a tough year for the Hunters as they managed only five wins. A change at the top was exactly what was needed and the decision to appoint Matt Church as head coach will certainly prove to the right decision. Church may not be able to work miracles in his first season, however improvement is inevitable. While the top eight may be slightly out of reach the Hunters will certainly give a better account of themselves than they did last year.
(Image: NRL)
Mackay Cutters
2019 finish: 11th
Predicted 2020 finish: bottom four
Mackay features arguably the strongest local rugby league competition in Queensland, with a mouth-watering contingent of former NRL and Super League players set to light up the local fields. The Cutters can only benefit from a strong local competition and it would not be surprising to see former Warrior and New Zealand Test player Kevin Locke in Cutters colours before June 30. Former Canterbury Bulldog Craig Garvey is another man playing locally in Mackay who could undoubtedly make a contribution to the Cutters. Their key signing for 2020 is 22-year-old Tongan international Ata Hingano, who already has 32 NRL games on his resume.
Northern Pride
2019 finish: 12th
Predicted 2020 finish: bottom four
It could be a tough year for the Pride with several players leaving the club at the end of last season. On the positive side, Chris Oswald is a nuggety and creative player who will bring a lot to the squad. The Pride certainly do not lack speed out wide from Bernard Lewis, captain Javid Bowen and Gideon Gela-Mosby. The real question is whether their forwards can get the team rolling forward and provide their creative players with quality ball in the right part of the field.
Central Queensland Capras
2019 finish: 14th
Predicted 2020 finish: bottom four
Simply put, it is hard to see where the wins will come from for the Capras this season. There are some fantastic individuals involved in the team and some very talented players. However, as a group, there is perhaps not the depth or experience needed. Hopefully the Capras can improve and get more wins than they did last season, it is hard to see them getting more than three or four wins though.
Ipswich Jets
2019 finish: ninth
Predicted 2020 finish: bottom four
New coach Keiron Lander faces a challenging year at North Ipswich Reserve. The pluses do not quite equal the losses in the recruitment department, though Dalton Phillips and Gerome Burns are nice additions. Lander will be relying on experienced heads like Nat Neale, Peter Gubb and Phil Dennis to help guide talented youngsters Jacob Teevan and Jayden Connors.
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