‘This may be the last time I play with Ase’

By PARKER TAMBUA
PLAYMAKER Watson Boas says he is eager to make the most of his short stint with the SP Hunters as it may be the last time he plays alongside his brother Ase at club level.
The 26-year-old former Rabaul Guria is still contracted to English Betfred League One club, Doncaster, but has been cleared to play with the 2017 Queensland Intrust Super Cup champions while he awaits travel restrictions to be eased in the United Kingdom (UK).
Doncaster kick off their campaign away to Papua New Guinea Kumuls forward Wellington Albert’s Keighley Cougars at Cougar Park on May 9, seven weeks after Matthew Church’s men open their season against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls on March 20. Boas told The National earlier this month that foundation Hunter Ase – who turns 33 years old on Boxing Day – was winding down his illustrious career which took off at Digicel Cup heavyweights, the Rabaul Gurias.
“This may very well be the last time we play together because he could retire soon,” Boas said.
“Doncaster have only agreed for me to play in the first five rounds or so (with the Hunters), before I return to the UK by the end of April if travel restrictions are eased.
“I’d like to give my best shot and enjoy the last few games with him.
“It’s sad but that’s how it is.
“You can’t play forever, aging will take its course and you will eventually retire.”
The Boas brothers have so far played together in seven tests for PNG. They have played a total of 19 tests between them.
One of the highest points in their careers was when they paired in the halves and led the Hunters to their maiden title with a 12-10 win over the Sunshine Coast Falcons at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane in 2017.
“I’ve enjoyed every moment with him in the Hunters and the Kumuls,” Boas said.
“We had a lot of success at test level and with the Hunters.”
Boas said their successes had seen them gain a lot of respect in their communities.
“We’re not only role models to young rugby league players in the country, but our families too,” he said.
“They have a lot of respect for us. During the pre-season, we spent some time with our families and they expressed how proud they were of us.
“We may have fallen short of some of our dreams.
“But regardless of that, we played at different levels of the game and gave our best shot for our team, families and country.
“Ase and I will retire someday but we will forever cherish those memories which we hope will inspire a lot of children throughout the country.”