The Campbell Construction Co. Tweed Seagulls will face Norths Devils this Sunday in Round 3 of the QRL Hostplus Cup. Severe weather in the South-East Queensland region has seen this game relocated to Bycroft Oval, Runaway Bay and rescheduled for a 12:10pm kickoff.
The Seagulls recorded a comprehensive win over the Sunshine Coast Falcons last weekend and will be looking to make it two in a row in Round 3. Tweed were particularly strong through the middle-third against the Falcons, comfortably winning the yardage battle and finding some points around the ruck in good ball. Most of Tweed’s starting forwards clocked over 100m in that game and will need to repeat those efforts on Sunday to best the defending premiers.
They will have to do this without the help of Sam McIntyre in Round 3, who was called up to the Gold Coast Titans NRL squad for Thursday night’s gutsy win over the Wests Tigers. McIntyre contributed 79 metres and 10 tackles in a busy 29 minute stint in that game, and will be replaced by Josh Patston in Tweed’s lineup this week.
Norths have been a mixed bag to begin the 2022 following the highs of a premiership last year. They made light work of the Blackhawks in Round 1 (38-14) before getting beat by a 79th minute field-goal against Redcliffe last week (12-13). The Dolphins game was an absolute grind and it will be interesting to see how the Devils back it up after that narrow loss.
The last time these sides met was in Week 1 of the finals last year, with eventual premiers Norths getting up 22-16 over the Seagulls. Tweed will fancy themselves a good chance of evening the scores this Sunday.
Player to Watch
Lindon McGrady has been in stellar form to begin the 2022 season.
He’s had a try assist in both games, is kicking well and most notably is doing a job in defence. The Falcons sent plenty of traffic McGrady’s way last week but he consistently shut them down with some good reads and strong contact (22 tackles, no misses). Lindon will have every reason to put on a show again in Round 3 given he lines up against cousin and former-Seagull Brayden McGrady, named on the wing for Norths this weekend. It’s unlikely the pair go directly head-to-head in this one but there’s sure to be some family bragging rights on the line.
18-year old Kaleb Ngumanu is another one to watch this week, named to make his QRL debut on the wing in place of Ryland Jacobs (COVID). He is a Gold Coast based youngster originally from Western Australia – who’s made every post a winner since his time in junior rugby league career and for that matter in schoolboy rugby for the Southport School (TSS). He showed promise in Tim Maccan’s Mal Meninga Cup U18s 2021 premiership-winning side but today will be his first true test coming up against men in what’s set to be a very physical game.
Coaches Comments
Head Coach Ben Woolf says the squad is strictly focused on this week and isn’t concerned with what happened in the 2021 finals series.
“We haven’t spoken about last year,” said Woolf.
“Both teams are quite different on paper so we are more focussed on what we have seen in Norths’ two games this year. They are a good attacking team so our focus has been around controlling possession and keeping our line connected in defence.”
Woolf is also excited to see 18-year old winger Kaleb Ngamanu make his debut.
“Kaleb is a high energy player who plays with plenty of effort,” said Woolf.
“He has good footwork and carries the ball well out of our own end. It’s a great moment for him this week.”
Team List
- Paul Turner
- Sosefo Fifita
- Lee Turner
- Scott Galeano
- Kaleb Ngamanu
- Will Brimson
- Lindon McGrady
- JJ Collins
- Brent Woolf
- Harrison Muller
- Joshua Patston
- Rueben Porter
- Braden Robson
- Craig Garvey
- Lamar Manuel-Liolevave
- Daniel Ross
- Ioane Seiuli
- Jaline Graham
Coach: Ben Woolf
Game Info
Round 3 v Norths Devils
Sunday 3rd April, Bycroft Oval, Runaway Bay
Kick-off: 12:10pm
Streaming via QPlus.tv (subscription required)
Written by Jason Oliver, Rugby League Writers for Tweed Seagulls Media
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