Townsville Blackhawks forward Corey Jensen reached an important milestone last weekend, playing in his 76th match for the club to become their most capped player.
That game was also important as it was his fifth Intrust Super Cup match for the season, making the NRL-contracted player eligible to feature in this year’s finals series.
With the finals series approaching fast following the conclusion of this weekend’s last regular round for the season, attention is turning to who is facing who and where, and also, which players are eligible to feature in the finals.
At the start of the season, eligibility criteria for the Intrust Super Cup and Hastings Deering Colts were outlined in the Queensland Rugby League statewide competitions operations manual.
At a glance, if a player has taken part in five Intrust Super Cup games this season, regardless of the number of NRL matches they have played, they are eligible to play in the Intrust Super Cup finals.
If a player has played in one Hastings Deering Colts game, regardless of the number of higher-level matches played, they are eligible to play in the Hastings Deering Colts finals. Higher-level matches are NRL, Intrust Super Cup and local league A Grade competitions.
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As such, while Wynnum Manly Seagulls and Brisbane Broncos guns Selwyn Cobbo and TC Robati may have been eligible to play in the Hastings Deering Colts competition this year, they will not be allowed to feature in the finals – unless the club spring a selection surprise and name them in their Round 14 match against Townsville Blackhawks this Saturday.
However, as they have both played six games in the Intrust Super Cup this season for the Seagulls, they would be allowed to play in the finals if selected.
Qualification starts at the beginning of each premiership competition and ends on the completion of each competition’s premiership rounds.
The relevant section regarding all finals eligibility rules can be referenced under Section 10 – Eligibility – fixtures and finals.
Statewide competitions finals eligibility general rules
If a player has played 5 x Intrust Super Cup games, they are eligible to play Intrust Super Cup finals, regardless of number of NRL matches.
If a player has played 1 x Hastings Deering Colts game, they are eligible to play Hastings Deering Colts finals, regardless of number of higher-level matches.
Competition player examples
Statewide under 20 player examples
If a player has played 1 x Hastings Deering Colts and 0 x Intrust Super Cup games, they are eligible to play Hastings Deering Colts and Intrust Super Cup finals.
If a player has played 4 x Hastings Deering Colts and 10 Intrust Super Cup games, they are eligible to play Hastings Deering Colts and Intrust Super Cup finals.
If a player has played 0 x Hastings Deering Colts and 4 x Intrust Super Cup, they are not eligible to play Hastings Deering Colts, but they are eligible to play Intrust Super Cup finals.
If a player has played 1 x Hastings Deering Colts and 5 x NRL, they are eligible to play Hastings Deering Colts and Intrust Super Cup finals.
Intrust Super Cup examples
If a player has played 1 x Intrust Super Cup and 0 x NRL, they are eligible to play Intrust Super finals.
NRL player examples
If a player has played 10 x NRL games, 4 x Intrust Super Cup games, and plays in Intrust Super Cup this weekend (last round to make up five games), they are eligible to play remaining Intrust Super Cup finals.
If a player has played 5 x NRL games, 5 x Intrust Super Cup games and their NRL team does not progress to NRL finals or they are not selected, they will be eligible to play remaining in the remaining Intrust Super Cup finals.
If a player has played 5 x NRL games, 1 x Intrust Super Cup game, and their NRL team does not progress to NRL finals or they are not selected, they are not eligible to play Intrust Super Cup finals.
If a player has played 8 x NRL games, 0 x Intrust Super Cup games, they are not eligible to play Intrust Super Cup finals.
To find out more about the upcoming finals series – including all you need to know about Intrust Super Cup grand final day, stay tuned to QRL.com.au.
Main image: Tesi Niu has played five games for the Souths Logan Magpies and could theoretically play for them in the finals this year if selected. Photo: QRL
