Northern Pride coach expects changes ahead of Intrust Super Cup return

Northern Pride coach Ty Williams believes changes will have to be made to the Intrust Super Cup to ensure the competition remains viable ahead of a return to competition in 2021.

Northern Pride coach Ty Williams believes changes will have to be made to the Intrust Super Cup to ensure the competition remains viable ahead of a return to competition in 2021.

While the Intrust Super Cup is expected to return to the field next year, it’s unclear what it might look like, with uncertainty surrounding competition structures and funding for QRL clubs.

According to Williams, only one thing is for certain: the 2021 Intrust Super Cup will be different to anything the club has experienced before.

“I think the NRL’s showcased a big initiative moving forward already, just with travel,” he said.

Pride's Jacob McCarthy manages to offload the ball in the ball in the Round 2 match of the Lightning Challenge between the Northern Pride Reef Kings and the Tully Tigers, held at Stan Williams Park. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

“The first thing is that we probably won’t be staying in motels, it’ll be in and out on the same day, which we already do in some circumstances.

“I think that’s probably going to be a massive change for us, and the timing of it all will be dictated on what’s available and whether teams can get flights in, flights out.

“It’ll be fine with us, you’ve just got to adjust to it.”

The coach said he was also expecting — and would welcome — changes to the Intrust Super Cup’s on-field product, including a faster and more free-flowing game on the back of the NRL’s revolutionary six-again rule.

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“The game itself I think will be a lot quicker, as it’s already been showcased at the highest level,” he said.

“I think moving forward in the pre-season, we really need to focus on that.”

Williams said northern rivals PNG Hunters could even be based in Cairns for the sake of the competition.

“I know that was discussed early on before the competition was cancelled,” he said.

“There was a possibility that would happen.

“We’ve seen it work with (NRL clubs) the Warriors and Melbourne.”

Originally published as Northern Pride coach expects changes ahead of Intrust Super Cup return