The 2020 Intrust Super Cup promises to be another exciting and entertaining installment of Queensland’s premier rugby league competition as fourteen 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: 3rd, 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.
Townsville Blackhawks
2019 Finish: 4th.
Predicted 2020 Finish: Top two.
Fast becoming the competitions 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 a devastating at this level and it will be interesting to see where he is used. Former Storm and Dragon 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 under rated players in the competition and will again be a key man for the Blackhawks.
Souths Logan Magpies
2019 Finish: 10th.
Predicted 2020 Finish: 3rd to 6th.
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 Nui 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: 6th.
Predicted 2020 Finish: 3rd to 6th.
One of the competitions perennial heavy weights the Seagulls will be disappointed with losing last years 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: 7th.
Predicted 2020 Finish 3rd to 6th.
Much like Wynnum Manly, Redcliffe are another of the competition heavy weights, 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 6th.
Predicted 2020 Finish: 3rd to 6th.
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 Feluti Talanoa has joined the squad and will bring invaluable experience. They will surprise a few people this year.
Sunshine Coast Falcons
2019 Finish: 7th.
Predicted 2020 Finish: 7th to 8th.
The recruitment of PNG International Tom Butterfield is a very smart piece of business by new Falcons coach Sam Mahwinney. 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: 8th.
Predicted Finish 2020: 7th or 8th
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, 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: 5th.
Predicted Finish 2020: Mid table – 7th to 9th.
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 8 at seasons end, however stringing a run of wins together could see them finishing in the top 8 and, as we all know, once you are in the finals series anything is possible.
PNG Hunters
2019 Finish: 13th
Predicted Finish 2020: 10th
2019 was a tough year for the Hunters as they managed only 5 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 8 may be slightly out of reach the Hunters will certainly give a better account of themselves than they did last year.
READ MORE: Our 2020 PNG Hunters Season Preview
Mackay Cutters
2019 Finish: 11th
Predicted Finish 2020: 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 Finish 2020: Bottom four.
It could be a tough year for the Pride with several players leaving the club at the 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, can their forwards 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 Finish 2020: 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: 9th
Predicted Finish 2020: 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.
READ MORE: A 2020 Intrust Super Cup Guide for beginners.
READ MORE: 2020 Intrust Super Cup Draw Analysis
More Intrust Super Cup from The Gurgler in 2020…
Stay tuned throughout the season for our weekly preview with tips from Matt Crowhurst and Intrust Super CEO Brendan O’Farrell, loaded with stats.
There will also PNG Hunters content during 2020, because they are our favourite team, and need some extra love. Even without Willie Minoga.
Plus Matt Crowhurst will be using his superior knowledge of the Brisbane game to treat us from time to time with more content.
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