Mariners tough to sink
Summit special as rivals clash in round 5 blockbuster
A top-of-the-table clash will highlight round 5 of the FNQ Rugby season, as JCU Mariners put their undefeated record on the line against Wanderers.
It’s a big week for several FNQ Rugby stars as they celebrate selection in the North Queensland representative team for the Queensland Country Championships later this year.
Friday, 8pm: JCU Mariners (1st) v Wanderers (2nd) at Ivanhoes
It’s a top-of-the-table clash between the undefeated JCU Mariners and Wanderers.
Wanderers have enjoyed a strong start to the season under the guidance of coaches Traye Hodge and Sam Delvin.
Hodge has provided a good fit for the coaching role, bringing together a talented group of players to perform more consistently than previous seasons. Delvin has moved to Cairns from Sydney, where he coached Easts in the Sydney club competition, and his tactical nous has given the Green Machine more variety in attack in 2023.
Returning from FNQ Thunder duties are prop Joji Bolea and halfback Jake McAnally, who will look to provide a quality platform for Henry Dench. JCU welcomes back plenty of representative experience after two weeks off, in particular the return of Bryce Stanley who will be making his first start of the year. He will form a formidable backrow trio with the experienced Jack De Guingand and Saula Vauca. Co-captains Liam Duncan and Kai Lowah will lead from the front in jerseys two and three respectively.
Saturday 3pm: Southside (3rd) VS Mudcrabs (6th) at Stan Williams Park
For the first time in 2023, Stan Williams Park will be hosting rugby union, where the 2022 grand finalist Southside take on the improving Northern Beaches Mudcrabs.
Both sides were well represented in the FNQ Thunder squad in the recent trip to Townsville. Southside will be relying on its scrum and physicality to outmuscle the men from the Northern Beaches.
Zeek Suavai will anchor the scrum and the running game of Preston Akiba and Clyde Shaw will be key for Southside.
Dharzell Roberts, at 10, has been consistent this season and coach Dennis Hearn will no doubt be hoping his playmaker can control field position for the Muddies.
The most intriguing clash will be between the Walters brothers, where Pa will be lining up at centre for Southside and his brother Charlie, recently back from representative duties,will be on the side of the scrum for the Mudcrabs.
Saturday, 4pm: Trinity Barron Bulls (4th) v Port Douglas Reef Raiders (5th) at the Bullpen, Machan’s Beach Port Douglas is fresh off a resounding win against the previously undefeated Wanderers in round 4.
New recruit Frank O’Dea has been arguably the best find of the season, with his kicking game and game management being key to Port’s success.
The addition of O’Dea has provided coach Stan Afeaki with the ability to play two ball players in Luke Edwards (15) and O’Dea, which has added to Port’s ability to score points.
Barron Trinity will be eager to get a win and keep pressure on the top two after falling one point short against Southside in round 4. Barron welcomes back representative halfback Rhys Coutts, who partners captain David Lui in the halves. Barron has proved it can score points, but also concedes, on average, 22 points.