The PNG Hunters will field a new-look side in 2019 with news this week that experienced duo Ase Boas and Watson Boas are headed to play in England next season.
The talented brothers have been signed by Championship side Featherstone Rovers, with the Yorkshire-based club announcing the signing on their website this week.
While the move is a positive step in the careers of the 2017 premiership-winning duo – it leaves a massive hole for Hunters coach Michael Marum to fill in his 2019 squad.
Not only is he losing an experienced halves duo; he is also losing plenty of leadership experience.
“(It is) good news for the Boas boys and bad news for me as I (have) to replace them in two important positions on our team," Marum told QRL Media.
“Ase has developed as a leader to the team and to the community as well and that will be big shoes to fill.
“Being a policeman himself (has) helped him in making sure the other players around him had that respect for each other on and off the field.
“Watson, since he made it into the national team (PNG Kumuls) last year, has also been one of our best performers this season again.”
News of the departure of two of his best players to overseas opportunities comes at the end of a season that also saw the club work to overcome the premature retirement of star fullback Stargroth Amean mid-season, who left to take up university studies.
While long-time captain Ase has always been seen as a leader; younger brother Watson has matured in recent seasons and taken on board his responsibility as a player in the Hunters club.
He was the highest-polling Hunter, finishing just outside the top five with 15 points, in the overall Petero Civoniceva Medal leaderboard; with brother Ase the next highest performer with 10 points.
The brothers are set to travel to the UK in January next year.
The Hunters will again look to recruit players from the Digicel Cup into their squad for the 2019 season; with Charlie Simon (who played 21 games this year) and William Mone listed as halves in the 2018 squad for the Hunters.
Boas Brothers - in numbers (Intrust Super Cup and Intrust Super Championship)
Ase Boas
89 games (4th most for the club)
33 tries (5th most for the club)
174 goals (2nd most for the club)
1 field goal; 471 points (1st)
Watson Boas
66 games (=9th most for the club)
22 tries (10th most for the club)
17 goals (5th most for the club)
122 points (8th most for the club)
*Statistics by Brad Tallon
