Hot start: Burleigh Bears’ Titans showdown and ISC grand final rematch
REVEALED: Burleigh will face the ultimate start to their 2020 rugby league season.
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RETURNING Burleigh coach Rick Stone will have to hit the ground running as the Intrust Super Cup premiers brace for a Titans showdown and grand final rematch to kickstart their 2020.
The ISC draw for next season will be released on Friday and the Bulletin understands the Bears will host Wynnum at Pizzey Park in a TV game at midday in a March season-opener.
They have also locked in a February 21 trial against feeder club the Titans, meaning departed coach Jim Lenihan – now assistant at NRL level – will face off against the man who replaced him, Stone.
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The ISC grand final rematch will also have several interesting subplots.
The official return of 1999 Bears premiership coach Stone, who led Newscastle in the NRL from 2009-11 and in 2015, will be against a Seagulls side smarting from their 28-10 defeat in last season’s ISC decider.
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There is also likely to be a bright spotlight on the strong contingent of Titans talent on show for feeder club Burleigh.
The Bears will also face southern neighbours Tweed Seagulls on Anzac Day – Saturday, April 25 – in a change from their usual Rivalry Round combatants PNG Hunters.
The Pizzey Park club, beaten in heart-breaking circumstances by Newtown in the NRL State Championship decider, have done well to retain the bulk of their roster for 2020.
ISC premiers are traditionally pillaged by NRL clubs but only playmaker Dylan Phythian (Newcaslte), outside back Tyronne Roberts-Davis (training at the Knights), forward Matt Robinson (retired) and Oliver Percy (unknown) are known absentees.
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Burleigh in turn have picked up out-of-contract Titans forward Jack Stockwell, NSW Cup star and former Titans under-20s player Greg Leleisiuao, and prop Jaimin Jolliffe.
The addition of Leleisiuao, currently training with the Gold Coast NRL squad, will be handy given the ACL injury to winger Troy Leo means he may not return until about June.
Interestly the Bears have picked up Jolliffe, who was part of Newtown’s side which pinched a miracle national title against Burleigh on the last play of the game.
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