Heat on halves

COACH Michael Marum says his halves need to lift for the game against the Ipswich Jets on Sunday.
The third-placed SP Papua New Guinea Hunters head to the North Ipswich Reserve for the Intrust Super Cup round 12 fixture, knowing that another loss on the road will not only dent their aspirations for a finals berth in this year but will seriously question their ability to win in Australia.
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Marum pin-pointed a lack of cohesion in the halves as his side’s biggest problem, which saw his men come up short 27-20 against the Central Queensland Capras last week in Rockhampton.
“We had no excuses for the Capras loss. We certainly had enough ball to win and our completion rates were good at 78 per cent, but what let us down was our execution, especially on the fifth tackle and our kicking game, which wasn’t as good as it could have been,” Marum said.
Marum said although Ipswich was closer to Brisbane (45 minutes west of the city by road), the reigning champions had a unique style that would require a different game plan to counter.
“We know how they play. Their style of football means we had to pick a side that can cope with the angles and continuous passing and running they like to do. They haven’t changed that style much and we’ve handled them before so we’re reasonably confident.”
Marum said he was contemplating bringing back Watson Boas, with the star half having passed a preliminary fitness test mid-week and likely to undergo another today before a decision was made.
“Boas passed a medical test this week and he might be included in the team pending a fitness test today,” Marum said.
The Jets may be second last on the Q-Cup ladder but are expected to rise to the occasion this weekend.
PNG’s Pandia brothers will face their own countrymen, with former Hunters backrower Sebastian and younger brother Richard on the wing picked by Jets co-coaches Shane and Ben Walker for the clash.
The last three encounters between the sides saw the Ipswich side win the one that mattered the most — a 28-12 win over the Hunters in week three of the finals last year.
Before that, the Hunters had the wood on the Jets, beating them 40-28 in Kokopo (round 13) and 32-14 in Ispwich (round 22).
The game kicks off at 1.40pm and is the Channel 9 (Imparja) clash of the round.
Hunters:  Stargroth Amean, Justin Olam, Noel Zeming (c), Thompson Teteh, Adex Wera, Ase Boas, Ate Bina Wabo, Henry Wan,Wartovo Puara Jr, Timothy Lomai, Ishmael Balkawa, Adam Korave, Brandy Peter; Reserves: Warren Glare, Tuvi Lepan, Bland Abavu, Edward Goma, Benjamin Hetra, Philemon Kimisive, Enock Maki.