Kim Williams. THE Skills Training Mackay Cutters start their 2013 Intrust Super Cup campaign this Saturday when they head to Barlow Park to take on North Queensland rivals, the Northern Pride.
All three teams will again travel together as the Absolute Enterprises Cyril Connell and Mal Meninga Cup teams also look to build on promising results from last week against the Toowoomba Clydesdales.
Selection in the Intrust Super Cup side for round one was hotly contested with most players fit and eligible.
Head coach Kim Williams, in consultation with his support staff, believes he has the strongest combination available.
"A few guys have been left out but it is a good headache to have with real quality waiting in the wings for their opportunity," he said. "Some of our guys are coming off long-term injuries, so giving them an extra week certainly won't hurt.
"As you would expect, we have a fair contingent of Cowboys early in the year as well. This also adds to our depth."
A number of players will make their competition debut for the Cutters.
Cowboys contracted players Curtis Rona and Alex Elisala will get their first taste of the Intrust Super Cup, while locally based players Joel Clinton, Michael Koko, Dave Petersen, Polou Vaituutuu and Jake Cooley make debuts on the tough road trip.
Cooley and Vaituutuu, in particular, have been rewarded for solid trial form.
"Jake Cooley offers us a bit of X-factor and Polou put his hand up with a strong performance against the Pride two weeks ago," Williams said.
The Cutters also welcome back halfback Matt Minto. After a strong 2012 and a full pre-season with the Cowboys, Minto is hoping for a solid start to the year.
"Our head-to-head record against the Pride is not great, but this is a new side and a new season," Minto said.
"The team is well prepared, so with a bit of luck we can turn the table on them and start the year positively.
"I am really looking forward to getting on the park and having a crack.
"I missed the last couple of trials, but I am confident in my fitness and hope to make a good contribution for the team on Saturday night."
Barlow Park action is set to kick off at 3.15pm with the Cyril Connell Cup.
This is followed by the Mal Meninga Cup at 4.30pm and the Intrust Super Cup at 6.30pm.
"The Pride always put on a great event up there," Cutters chief executive Glenn Ottaway said.
"As the season-opener there will be a lot happening and they will draw a big crowd. It is good that we are all together as a club because I am sure there won't be too many locals cheering for us."
Intrust Super Cup
- Liam Taylor
- Bureta Faraimo
- Curtis Rona
- Michael Koko
- Michael Comerford
- Dave Petersen
- Matt Minto
- Sam Hoare
- Anthony Mitchell
- Joel Clinton
- Tyson Martin
- Chris Grevsmuhl
- Jardine Bobongie
- Alex Elisala
- Tyson Andrews
- Polou Vaituutuu
- Jake Cooley
Mal Meninga Cup
- Nick Baker
- Tyler Heading
- Nathan Benson
- Scott Green
- Kiran Anderson
- Blake Bradford
- Aaron Hughes
- Cody Morrison
- Malik Cotter
- Ross Bella
- Zac Radel
- Jackson McCormack
- Jack Coates
- Garry Keppell
- Baedan Flynn
- Zac Schill
- Jarrod Morris
Cyril Connell Cup
- Jye del Simone
- Riley Goodwin
- Ashton Windsor
- Terry Budby
- Jared Maguire
- Jacob Anderson
- Mitch Dunn
- Alatti Tapim
- Daniel Boyd
- Riley Lappin
- Mosese Uluiviti
- Kellen Jenner
- Ruebin Cotter
- Ruebin Clarke
- Josh Morton
- Jayden Congoo
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