Herald Cup rivalry set to get heated with both teams without a win so far this season

ONE of the Intrust Super Cup’s biggest rivalries will heat up even more on Sunday with both teams entering the match without a win.

Promo for Herald cup. Pictured is Anthony Cherrington from the Redcliffe Dolphins and Peter Gubb from Wynnum/Manly Seagulls. Picture: Chris McCormack.

WYNNUM Manly Seagulls coach Jon Buchanan ­expects some extra fire in Sunday’s Herald Cup clash with the Redcliffe Dolphins as both teams enter the match winless after two rounds.

Both sides were picked as premiership contenders during the preseason but have struggled to find form in the first two games of their Intrust Super Cup campaign.

The Seagulls are coming off a 24-10 loss to PNG at home while the Dolphins let an 18-6 lead slip against the Souths Logan Magpies.

But Buchanan said he ­believed both teams would come out firing on Sunday.

“Obviously both teams just want to get their season started really and I’m sure that will add to the rivalry this weekend,” he said.

“Redcliffe have a very tough side, they’ve got a big forward pack, good outside backs and their halves have all been part of NRL systems, so they’re going to be tough to deal with.

“We just have to try and limit their opportunities and if we do that, we give ourselves a chance.

“They’ll be a bit disappointed too after letting a lead go against Souths.”

This weekend’s match at BMD Kougari Oval is the first of two games for the Herald Cup, with the Seagulls aiming to keep the silverware in their trophy cabinet for a third straight year.

“I’ve said this before, we want to win all the silverware we can along the way, no matter what it is,” Buchanan said.

“Obviously it’s a big rivalry between us and Redcliffe and the fans love it, so we want to do everything we can to make sure the Herald Cup stays here.”

Wynnum Manly may also welcome back prop Brendon Gibb from injury and ­Buchanan said his return would be a major boost for the Seagulls.

“He’s our enforcer and our energy guy,” he said.

“The guys get a lot of confidence from him being out there and I think will be very happy that he’s probably going to be back out on the field with them.”

Kick-off on Sunday is at 3pm.