Neil Cadigan
Exciting young Titans forward Keegan Hipgrave will debut in tomorrow’s clash with Townsville Blackhawks at Piggabeen Sports Complex (2pm) as the Intrust Super Cup giant-killers face another hurdle yet to be overcome.
The Romano Group Seagulls have never beaten the Blackhawks in four ISC clashes and went down 48-18 in Townsville in round 8.
Yet Aaron Zimmerle’s side know if they apply themselves for the full 80 minutes they can challenge any team in the competition, as shown by upset victories against PNG Hunters last weekend and Redcliffe three weeks earlier.
The challenge for the Gulls is to back up from an extremely physical effort against the aggressive and up-tempo Hunters. Tweed took it to the PNG outfit with an enduring defensive performance and will need to be equally on-song against the Blackhawks who will field several NQ Cowboys-contracted players and last year’s Seagulls and Titans players Kierran Moseley and Oshae Tuiasau.
Left winger Jonathon Reuben is also a danger man. He last week became the Blackhawks leading all-time try-scorer with 194 (48 tries in 42 games).
Eddy Pettybourne also drops back from the Titans and he has been a terrific influential forward for the Gulls this season.
The 20-year-old Hipgrave was signed by the Titans from the Broncos in May. A former Palm Beach Currumbin student and Australian Schoolboy, he has impressed the Titans in the past few weeks and played well in under-20s but gets his call up to the senior ranks tomorrow, starting off the bench.
Tristan Lumley, who has been tremendous in his two games in the black and white, will again play in the centres with Jackson Clarke, outstanding against the Hunters, in a strong back row.
Congratulations to Gulls lock Nick Harrold, who has previously played with Wynnum Manly and Burleigh, who celebrates his 50th ISC appearance tomorrow.
Tweed Heads Seagulls v Townsville Blackhawks
Piggabeen Sports Complex on Sunday, 2pm
Referee: Chris Anderson
Head-to-Head: Townsville 4 Tweed 0
Tweed Heads Seagulls
| 1 | Pheonix Hunapo |
| 2 | James Toole |
| 3 | James Wood |
| 12 | Tristan Lumley |
| 5 | Peter Lee |
| 6 | Lindon McGrady |
| 7 | Michael Burgess |
| 8 | Carne Doyle-Manga |
| 9 | Sam Meskell |
| 10 | Ben Nakubuwai |
| 11 | Lamar Liolevave |
| 4 | Jackson Clarke |
| 13 | Nick Harrold |
| 14 | Damien Sironen |
| 15 | Keegan Hipgrave |
| 19 | Eddy Pettybourne |
| 17 | Will Johnstone |
| 16 | Dane Clarke |
Townsville Blackhawks
1 Carlin Anderson2. Samsen O’Neill 3. Temone Power 4. Ty Carucci 5. Jonathon Reuben 14. Kierran Moseley 7. Michael Parker-Walshe 8. Daniel Beasley 9. Anthony Mitchell (c) 22. Oshae Tuiasau 11. Blake Leary 12. Andrew Niemoeller 13. Jordan Kenworthy 15. Kieran Quabba 16. Sione Lousi 17. Ross Bella 19. Sam Foster
Coach: Kristian Woolf
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