Boas to bounce back

Veteran playmaker believes his best footy still ahead of him

VETERAN Ase Boas says he is aiming to find the form that helped the SP Hunters claim the 2017 Intrust Super Cup (ISC) minor premiership and title.
The five-eighth – who turns 31 on Boxing Day – was in scintillating form that year, scoring 10 tries and kicking 87 goals for a season total of 214 points in a campaign that earned him the ISC player-of-the-year award.
But since then, he has struggled to reproduce his best with all his attacking statistics dipping considerably following the 2017 World Cup.
Boas and younger brother Watson joined Featherstone last season but he cut short his Rovers stint to return after just five appearances for the English second-tier club.
The premiership winner’s return gave former Hunters head coach Michael Marum some hope of rescuing their faltering season.
But the writing was on the wall after the Hunters failed to score a single point in their first two matches in a campaign described in the offseason as a “rebuilding phase” after several exits in key positions.
It was the Hunters’ worst campaign since their 2014 ISC debut and it was evident in Boas’ game as he kicked just 22 goals and failed to score a try in 18 appearances last season. To top it off, the 30-year-old made 64 missed tackles – 11 less than former skipper Moses Meninga, who made three more appearances than the playmaker.
Despite a horror season brought on by injuries, poor form and personal issues, a refreshed Boas is confident his best football is ahead him as he looks to help the Hunters bounce back under new head coach Matthew Church.
“A lot has happened for me over the last season,” Boas told The National on Sunday. “I went to England, came back and was hit with injuries which had affected my game.
“I am taking this pre-season seriously to reset ahead of our upcoming campaign.
“I am not done yet. I still have couple of years in me and I am looking forward to next season.
“If I can get my game back on track then who knows, I am always available for selection for national duties. But that’ll depend on my game.”
The Hunters kick off their campaign against the Souths Logan Magpies at Davies Park in Brisbane, Australia, on March 15.