2019 INTRUST SUPER CUP

Last season: 3rd (preliminary finalist). In: Jacob Hind (pictured) (SC Falcons), Jack Buchanan (Toronto Wolfpack), Oliver Percy (CQ Capras), Tyronne Roberts-Davis (GC Titans), Sam Saville (Tweed Heads Seagulls), Jordan Scott (Souths Logan Magpies), Hayden Hansen (Swinton Lions). Out: Toby McIntosh (work), Jerome Veve (Souths Logan), Zae Wallace (returned to NZ), Matt White (retired).

Coach Jimmy Lenihan says: “We have got a fairly similar side to last year. The key now is trying to keep them on the field as long as possible, because as soon as you get two or three important injuries to your group it is really hard to recover from that because the competition is so tight.” Final word: With reigning champions Redcliffe losing a host of players, and some of their own aces starting to age, now appears to be the perfect time for the Bears to repeat their 2016 premiership triumph. Prediction: 2nd.

Last season: 4th (semi-finalist). In: Josh Cleeland (Canterbury Bulldogs); Hayden Crowley, Peter Gubb (Wynnum Manly Seagulls); Fred Keil (Melbourne Rebels/University); Brett Kelly, Jacob Teevan (Easts Tigers); Todd White (Pittsworth Danes). Out: Dane Phillips (retired), Wes Conlon (Brothers Ipswich).

Co-coach Shane Walker says: “It’s not so much motivation about the way we went out (losing a second-week elimination final), it’s more inspiration. We know we’ve got a really good squad. We’ve had two big losses in Dane Phillips and Wes Conlon, but at the same time we have a lot of guys ready to stand up and do a great job for us.”

Final word: Beware the Jets. The team appears primed to return to the status of having every rival looking over their shoulder, with Josh Cleeland’s return from the Bulldogs to make an almighty impact alongside captain and 2018 Civoniceva Medal winner Nat Neale (pictured).

Prediction: 5th.

Last season: 6th (elimination final). In: Maurice Blair (Hull KR); Evan Child, Steven Tatipata (Pride U20s); Matolu Laumea (Innisfail Leprechauns); Hugh Sedger, Denzel King (Ipswich Jets); Dominic Biondi (Norths Devils); Cameron Torpy (Canterbury); Brayden Torpy (Easts Tigers).

Out: Ryan Ghietti, Brett Anderson, Troy Kapea, Nathan Wales, Graham Clark, Justin Castellaro, Sheldon Powe-Hobbs (retired); Keelan White (released); Jonico Hardwick (rugby union); Darryn Schonig (SC Falcons).

Coach Ty Williams says: “The first four rounds – (playing) Redcliffe, Hunters, Blackhawks and Ipswich – it doesn’t get any tougher, so our target is that first month and then to see how we’re tracking. We’ve got a lot of those players who can play eyes-up footy and that’s something that we were thinking about with our recruitment.”

Final word: Stellar job last year but may find it hard to back it up after losing a wealth of experience, although late pick-up Maurice Blair (pictured) is a timely boost.

Prediction: 12th.

Last season: 13th. In: Bessie Aufaga To’omaga (Cronulla Sharks), George Grant (Yeppoon Seagulls), Kainoa Gudgeon (TW Seagulls), Mark Johnstone (Rockhampton Brothers), Jack Lote (Western Lions), Aaron Pene (St Mary’s Penrith), Eddy Pettybourne (Toulouse), Matthew Wright (Manly Sea Eagles). Out: Connor Broadhurst (Norths Devils), David Cowhan (retired), Zeik Foster (Dragons), Blake Goodman (Asquith Magpies), Jerry Key (North Sydney Bears), Brad Lupi (Norths Devils), Oliver Percy (Burleigh Bears), Peter Rogers (Biloela Panthers), Chanel Seigafo (Victoria).

Coach David Faiumu says: “The feeling in the squad is great. From the youngest to the most experienced, everyone has shown a commitment to get better and be the best they can.” Final word: The Capras have recruited well, headlined by veteran NRL campaigners Matt Wright and Eddy Pettybourne (pictured). Now under the coaching of David Faiumu, expect to see them in the hunt for a finals spot.

Prediction: 10th.

Last season: Wooden spoon. In: Pauli Byrnes, Ross Bella, Dave Munro, Jordan Kenworthy (pictured) (Townsville Blackhawks); Marcus Jensen (Townsville Brothers); Otto Wrakonei (Easts Rugby Canberra); Tyler Gardiner (Mackay Magpies); Alex Gerrard, Lloyd White (Widnes Vikings); Sala Falelua-Malio (Mt Albert Lions).

Out: Aaron Booth, Bennett Leslie (Easts Tigers); Nicho Hynes, Nathan Saumalu (SC Falcons); Nick Brown, Jordan Grant (Redcliffe Dolphins); Jack Joass (Souths Magpies); Darcy Cox, Jesse Dee, Jared Maguire (MDRL); Tom Murphy, Lona Kaifoto, Johnny Faletagoa’I (released).

Coach Steve Sheppard says: “We tell our players that when a bit of chaos comes around, you need to adapt and overcome, so we’ll look forward and stick to the processes. Things happen for a reason.”

Final word: Key departures and the loss of pre-season signing Jarrod Brackenhofer means it’s hard to see the Cutters climbing off the bottom. Can they prove the critics wrong?

Tip: 14th.

Last season: 8th. In: Connor Broadhurst (CQ Capras); Luke Archer (pictured), Brad Frith, Jordan Mago (Souths Logan Magpies); Brendan Frei (Sydney Roosters); Shane Pumipi, Joe Bradley (Redcliffe Dolphins); Brad Lupi (Central Queensland Capras); Jayden Baker (Tweed Heads Seagulls); Nixon Putt (PNG Hunters); Stedman Lefau (Wynnum Manly Seagulls); Henry Penn (Newcastle Souths).

Out: John Palavi (Tweed Heads Seagulls), Alex Bishop (Souths Logan Magpies), Dalton Phillips (SC Falcons).

Coach Rohan Smith says: “We are happy with our retention, which has been an issue at Norths over a period of time. That was our first priority, to retain those who performed strongly, and we went a fair way towards doing that.”

Final word: Without John Palavi and Alex Bishop, how will the side again handle disruptions associated with being a feeder club for the Brisbane Broncos?

Prediction: 11th.

Last season: Runners-up. In: Tom Hughes, Matt Cooper (Newcastle); Curtis Dansey-Smaller (TH Seagulls); Josh Fauid (Redcliffe Dolphins); Sam Foster (Townsville Blackhawks); Rhys Jacks (SC Falcons); Aaron Booth, Bennett Leslie (Mackay Cutters); Sam Lavea (pictured), Justin Fai, William Samuel (Souths Logan Magpies); Jack Peoples (Norths Devils). Out: David Tyrrell (retired); Linc Port (Souths Logan Magpies); Brayden Torpy (Northern Pride); Conor Carey (Featherstone Rovers); Matt Groat (WM Seagulls); Anton Iaria (St Mary’s Penrith); Adam Crear, James Salter (Proserpine Brahmans), Michael Egan (West Bris Panthers).

Coach Scott Sipple says: “This year we have far less injuries in the pre-season, so we can hopefully get off to a better start and be positioned higher come finals. We’ve added more depth in our pack, which I think will be a big difference.” Final word: Few saw the Tigers’ 2018 charge from fifth to the grand final coming. They won’t have that element of surprise this year, but recruits and a clean bill of health has them well placed.

Prediction: 6th.

Last season: 7th. In: Gairo Kapana, Epel Kapinias (Rabaul Gurias); Shane Haro, Kevin Appo (Pom Vipers); Joe Joshua, Junior Rop (Lae Tigers); Daniel Tapol, Jerry Teme (Hela Wigmen); Brendon Nima, Nick Hasu (Goroka Lahanis); Joe Frank (Waghi Tumbe); Woods Kawage (Enga Mioks); Rex Kaupa (Southern Confederate); Justin Yoka, Jordon Pat (Highlands Confederate); Bland Abavu (Fassifern Bombers); Jack Oii (PRL). Out: Stargroth Amean, Wartovo Puara, Willie Minoga (Barrow Raiders); Thompson Teteh, Ase Boas, Watson Boas (Featherstone Rovers); Rhadley Brawa, Edene Gabbie (WM Seagulls); Brendon Gotuno (Penrith); Nixon Put (Norths Devils).

Coach Michael Marum says: “Very tough replacing the boys that have left in key positions. Our new halves combinations are still working hard on parts of their game. We are rebuilding ... but certainly our goal is to be better than last season.” Final word: Led by skipper Adex Wera (pictured), everyone wants the Hunters to do well. But, following an exodus, the 2017 premiers will need something special to challenge.

Prediction: 13th.