Heat on Boas to deliver

By JACK AMI

PNG LNG Kumuls halfback Watson Boas has some making up to do tomorrow when he runs out onto the National Football Stadium in the second international match against the England Knights.
Boas’ right boot and option taking played a role in the Kumuls’ close 16-12 loss to the Englishmen in Lae last week.
The 23-year-old missed three conversions (one from point blank range) and fluffed a try-scoring chance by not passing to his support after breaking the line.
Kumuls coach Michael Marum was disappointed with his men’s overall performance at the Lae Rugby League Oval six days ago, but did say that Watson’s lack of execution was baffling and something he needed to straighten out.
“He (Boas) didn’t kick well and the side didn’t do as well as I expected but they have another chance to get it right,” Marum said.
“He’s been training well and practicing his kicking so hopefully we see improvement there.”
Boas, who has been used as a back-up goal-kicker to older brother Ase for the SP PNG Hunters over the last three seasons, has retained the kicking and playmaking duties in a team that has added Kyle Laybutt to the bench as the only significant change.
Marum said despite the Kumuls strong start last week with good set completions and a low error rate, the team still had not made the most of its chances and were not clinical enough.
Captain David Mead admitted the team had basically misfired but was confident they would redeem themselves on Saturday.
“Our preparation has been much better in the second week and we’re looking forward to Saturday,” Mead said. “We need to complete our sets and get our kicking game going and cut down on mistakes.”
Mead said concentration and execution were their main objectives as they look to square the two-game series.
Marum said hooker James Segeyaro, who had been in Bali for a break, was not considered as he was unable to join the camp at a reasonable time.
PNG Kumuls: 1. David Mead (c), 2. Junior Rau, 3. Justin Olam, 4. Nene Macdonald, 5. Brendon Nima, 6. Edwin Ipape, 7. Watson Boas, 8. Moses Meninga, 9. Tom Butterfield, 10. Stanton Albert, 11. Zev John, 12. Nixon Putt, 13. Wellington Albert; Interchange: 14. Kyle Laybutt, 15. Enock Maki, 16. Rhadley Brawa, 17. Dilbert Isaac, 18. Woods Kawage, 19. Ase Boas.
England Knights: 1.Jack Walker (Leeds Rhinos), 2.Tom Davies (Wigan Warriors), 3.Toby King (Warrington Wolves), 4.Liam Sutcliffe (Leeds Rhinos), 5.Tom Lineham (Warrington Wolves), 6. Dec Patton (Warrington Wolves), 7 Chris Atkin (Hull KR), 8. Mikolaj Oledzski (Leeds Rhinos), 9.Sam Powell (Wigan Warriors), 10.Matty Lees (St Hellenes), 11.Harvey Livett (Warrington Wolves), 12.Matt Whitley (Catalan Dragons), 13.Jack Hughes (Warrington Wolves); Interchange: 14.Danny Walker (Warrington Wolves), 15.Ash Handley (Leeds Rhinos), 16.Robbie Mulhern (Hull KR), 17.Joe Philbin (Warrington Wolves).