The Intrust Super Cup enters Round 3 this weekend with two Sunday blockbusters the main drawcards.
Originally scheduled as Channel Nine's match of the round, the clash between defending premiers Northern Pride and newcomers Townsville Blackhawks will still go ahead despite the looming threat of Tropical Cyclone Nathan in North Queensland.
The Blackhawks will bus to Cairns with the local derby shaping up as a great contest with the Pride ready to play some football after their last match was postponed due to inclement weather and Townsville keen to improve on their Round 2 loss to Ipswich.
The Pride won all their games at Barlow Park in 2014 and will look to maintain that record against their ‘local’ rivals.
Blackhawks coach Kristian Woolf has made some key changes to the squad with a shuffle required to include Cowboys-allocated player Robert Lui in the halves.
Sunday's other fixture sees the second-placed Norths Devils take on Tweed Heads with Seagulls coach Aaron Zimmerle taking charge for his 50th ISC match.
The task for Tweed won't be an easy one with Norths on a good run of form. The Devils have won their past five games since late last season and have also been victorious in their past three outings at Piggabeen.
The Devils will be without key forward Todd Lowrie who will sit out one match after pleading guilty to a Grade 1 striking charge. Referee Henry Perenara, who has officiated in 67 NRL matches, will take charge of his first Cup game.
In other Round 3 action, current ladder leaders PNG Hunters will travel to Langlands Park to take on Easts Tigers, Burleigh Bears host the Sunshine Coast Falcons, Wynnum Manly Seagulls take on Mackay Cutters at BMD Kougari Oval and in Saturday's final match the Ipswich Jets will travel to Rockhampton to take on the CQ Capras.
For full previews of all Round 3 matches click here.