Intrust Super Cup 2021: Queensland competition given green light to return

The Intrust Super Cup will return in a revamped format next year, including a big opening round twist. FULL ROUND ONE FIXTURE.

2019 Intrust Super Cup champions Burleigh Bears will play Souths Logan in the opening round of the 2021 season.

Queensland’s premier state league competition, the Intrust Super Cup, will return in a revamped format next year following its 2020 COVID-19 hibernation.

The Courier-Mail can exclusively reveal a “Super Saturday” of six ISC games will kick-off the Round 1 fixture on March 20, with a blockbuster clash between Souths Logan Magpies and Burleigh Bears to follow on the Sunday.

The competition has been forced to undergo several changes in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic, with the Queensland Rugby League shortening the season from 23 rounds to 19 and introducing the “six again” rule.

The Intrust Super Cup will kick-off with six games on March 20. Picture: AAP Image/Richard Gosling

The PNG Hunters will be based in Queensland for the entire ISC season to continue playing in 2021, while the state’s 13 other clubs managed to survive the cancelled 2020 season to play on next year.

The QRL has also given the green light for the women’s BHP Premiership, Hastings Deerings Colts Under-21 competition and Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup Under-18 competitions to return in the new year.

Another significant change will see Channel 9 dropped as the host broadcaster, with the QRL to stream the Sunday afternoon games via their website, app and 9Now.

The new era of QRL broadcasting will kick-off with the Magpies v Bears clash and followed by all 19 regular-season matches.

The move follows other sporting organisations such as Cricket Australia, to livestream their statewide competitions.

QRL managing director Robert Moore said he was thrilled to see the Intrust Super Cup return in 2021.

The women’s BHP Premiership is set to return in 2021. Picture: AAP Image/Richard Gosling

“Like a lot of fans, I am really looking forward to how the clubs will come out of the break, not only with their rosters, but how they approach their football with the ‘six again’ rule in play for the first time in the Intrust Super Cup,” Moore said.

“It is going to make for fascinating viewing, whether you’re a regular at your local suburban ground or tuning into the new Sunday broadcast options. The public health crisis this year has thrown up one new challenge after another.

“We’ve embraced new ways of working and I think the spoils will be there for all to enjoy in March when the season gets underway.”

INTRUST SUPER CUP — ROUND 1

SATURDAY MARCH 20

Tweed Seagulls v CQ Capras, Piggabeen Sports Complex

Sunshine Coast Falcons v Northern Pride, Sunshine Coast Stadium

PNG Hunters v Wynnum Manly Seagulls, TBA

Ipswich Jets v Townsville Blackhawks, North Ipswich Reserve

Brisbane Tigers v Norths Devils, Totally Workwear Stadium

Mackay Cutters v Redcliffe Dolphins, BB Print Stadium

SUNDAY MARCH 21
Souths Logan Magpies v Burleigh Bears, Davies Park

Originally published as Intrust Super Cup 2021: Queensland competition given green light to return