Watson Boas wary of fitness level ahead of tests

PAPUA New Guinea and Doncaster halfback Watson Boas says he fears lacking match fitness for the Kumuls’ end-of-year Oceania Cup fixtures with a return to the United Kingdom (UK) still pending.
The UK third-tier club had granted compassionate leave for the 25-year-old to return home due to family commitments early this year.
And with the indefinite suspension of the competition, former Rabaul Gurias star Boas continues train on his own while waiting for advice from Doncaster.
He told The National yesterday that the club had not given him clearance to play for the Gurias.
“Fitness in training and match fitness are totally different things altogether,” said Boas, who has so far played nine tests for PNG.
“I’m doing my own training and also doing some sessions with the Gurias.
“If the UK season is still suspended or cancelled (due to the Covid-19 pandemic) and if I don’t play any games with the Gurias then it could affect my fitness for the Kumuls’ tests at the end of the year.
“I am always looking forward to represent PNG but I have to be fit.
“I just need match fitness,” he said.
“I hope the UK competition returns soon.
“If not, I hope they (Doncaster) give me clearance to play some Digicel Cup games.”
Meanwhile, Sandis Tsaka – both chairman of the PNG Rugby Football League and Asia-Pacific Rugby League – said the Oceania Cup was still on target with the Kumuls to face the Cook Islands and Samoa.