Jets V PNG Hunters Sunday 29 May

Ipswich Jets v PNG Hunters
North Ipswich Reserve on Sunday, May 29 – 1.40pm*

Ipswich Jets

1. Carlin Anderson 5. Richard Pandia 3. Ben White 4. Nemani Valekapa 2. Joshua Robinson 6. Haydan Lipp 7. Dane Phillips (c) 8. David Fa’alogo 9. Landon Hayes 10. Nathaniel Neale 11. Samuel Martin 12. Sebastian Pandia 13. Fakahoko Teutau 16. William McConnachie 18. Wesley Conlon 21. Jesse Roberts 22. Tyson Lofipo

Coach: Ben Walker and Shane Walker

PNG Hunters

1. Stargroth Amean 2. Justin Olam 3. Noel Zeming (c) 4. Thompson Teteh 5. Adex Wera 6. Ase Boas 7. Atte Bina 8. Henry Noki 9. Wartovo Puara 10. Timothy Lomai 11. Ishamel Baikawa 12. Adam Korave (c) 13. Brandy Peter 14. Warren Glare 15. Tuvi Lepan 16. Oti Tony 17. Edward Goma 18. Benjamin Hetra 19. Philimon Kimisive 20. Enock Maki

Coach: Michael Marum

Last time they played

IPSWICH JETS 28 (Carlin Anderson, Marmin Barba, Josh Cleeland, Dane Phillips, Matt Parcell tries; Carlin Anderson 4 goals) def PNG HUNTERS 12 (Stargroth Amean, Willie Minoga tries; Noel Zeming 2 goals) at BMD Kougari Oval Oval.

Head to Head: PNG Hunters 3 IPSWICH Jets 2.

ROUND 12

The Hunters currently sit in third place on the ladder with seven wins and three losses from their 11 games they have also had a bye.

The Hunters have scored 243 points this season and allowed 191 for a points differential of 52.

The Hunters have scored 42 tries and let past their line 35 tries.

The Jets are in 13th place on the ladder with three wins and eight losses this season.

The Jets have scored 250 points and allowed the opposition to score 317 for a points differential of -67.

The Jets have scored 48 tries this year and let the other side score 52. At this stage last year the Jets had scored 58 tries and allowed 48 so it’s nearly the reversal of stats.

When these two teams clashed at the North Ipswich Reserve in round 6 2014 the Jets came away with the win 25-12. The Hunters got away to an early start and had the Jets in trouble at 12-0 after 19 minutes but then the Jets clawed their way back to record the win.

IPSWICH JETS 25 (Kurt Capewell, Nemani Valekapa, Sam Martin, Keiron Lander tries; Wes Conlon 3, Brendon Marshall goals; Dane Phillips field goal) def PNG HUNTERS 12(Dion Aiye, Timothy Lomai tries; Roger Laka 2 goals) at North Ipswich Reserve.

That was the last time the Jets beat the Hunters in Ipswich.

HUNTERS

The Hunters are coming off a surprise loss to the Central Queensland Capras in Rockhampton last week.

The Hunters started slowly down 20-4 at half time. The Hunters only enjoyed 46% possession and couldn’t make a line break in the first half of the game.

The Hunters’ 17 missed tackles was telling.

In the second half the Hunters’ turned it around to get themselves back in the game. Highlighting how dangerous they can be from anywhere on the field.

Stargroth Amean scored two tries against Central Queensland and when these sides clashed in the prelim final last year it was the crafty hooker and fullback that got the Hunters’ off to a great start.

Hunters’ danger man and hooker Wartovo Puara took advantage of Jets’ defenders left lying on the ground after a quick play the ball. The speedy hooker took off and found his fullback Stargroth Amean in support to have the Hunters away to a great start at 6-0.

The Jets won’t need too much reminding about Wartovo Puara who is a smart and elusive dummy half. The Jets contained him well last time but they will need to be on high alert for the little number 9.

Noel Zeming was the Hunters’ leading point scorer last year he accumulated 186 points 6 tries and 81 goals. Zemming scored 20 points against the Jets when they clashed last season.

Zeming will need to be watched by the Jets he can be a dangerous ball runner but in defence can get up too quickly and leave space. Zeming was very effective against the Capras making 148 metres for his side

JETS

The Jets have now lost five home games in a row, they were last on a dry spell at home like this in 2010 when they lost six games in a row. Stretching from round seven to 17 the Jets failed to win at home.

The Jets started poorly against the Tigers down 28-0 at half time they kept allowing tries.

The Jets are now being out-scored in both halves; first half they are losing 128-152 and the second half 122- 165.

The Jets haven’t ‘won’ a half since the second half against the Falcons four weeks ago. In fact it highlights the struggles at the moment that the Jets have lost 11 of their last 13 halves. They’re having periods of playing well but haven’t been able to string together 40 minutes.

Rory Humpreys was a late withdrawal with Ben White coming in for his 7th Intrust Super Cup game for the Jets.

Currently the Jets’ injury situation isn’t great. Purcell out for another four weeks with hand fractures, Marmin out for the season with fibular fracture and ankle dislocation, Seage out for the year with an ACL reconstruction, Liam Capewell another one to three weeks with patella instability and MCL tear and Rory another two to three weeks with patella instability.

The fact that will hurt the Jets more than anything is that the Tigers forwards got over them.

The Tigers made 256 more metres than the Jets, the Jets made 119 more tackles, missed 15 more tackles,

The Tigers had eight penalties as opposed to the Jets four and the Jets had a player in the sin-bin.

Half of the Tiger’s nine tries were scored by forwards.

It wasn’t great watching.

Josh Robinson again was strong and got the game moving after half time with a long break that found Carlin Anderson who was backing up the middle having again started from the bench.

Robinson made 11 hit ups and 126 metres.

The Jets scored three second half tries in the first 30 minutes of the second half but it wasn’t enough.

Nemani Valekapa was a stand out for the Jets making 195 metres from his 73 minutes, one try, one try assist, one line break assist, six tackle breaks, 6 off-loads and 11 tackles.

This week a win is pivotal for the Jets. They need a kill to build up their confidence.