Two sides coming off upsets the week prior will be reared and ready to respond this Sunday at North Ipswich Reserve, as the Ipswich Jets host the Norths Devils.
The Devils trip down the M1 didn’t go to plan last weekend, as they were run off UAA Park 30-12 against the Burleigh Bears.
Starved of possession and burdened by poor completion rates, the Devils were without star centre Paris Pickering last weekend, losing spark in attack as a result.
However, middle forward Fanua Rimoni was stellar, providing great metreage and go-forward throughout her 59 minutes on field.
The Jets were handedly defeated by the Northern Pride who were buoyed by experienced campaigners such as Ana Malupo and Tiana Raftsrand-Smith.
Still, the Jets will be ruing their last outing, only scoring 10 points despite the attacking prowess of players such as Ella-Jaye Harrison-Leaunoa, Pauline To’o and Ilaisaane Taufa.
One of the more intriguing match ups between these two sides can be found in the halves, as Jet Moanekah Va’ai will look to one up her opposing five-eighth Tawny Burgess.
Burgess has been in great touch to begin the year, assisting a try in every game this year, as well as scoring last weekend in Burleigh.
Her kicking game is a big addition to the Devils attack, with her 153 average kick metres a foil to any team applying consistent defensive pressure.
Va’ai on the other hand, is a much stouter ball runner, with a beautiful passing game which provides space for her damaging outside backs to roam free.
Averaging 73 run metres and four tackle breaks a game, Va’ai presents dilemmas for defending teams, as closing in on her with ball in hand allows her to quickly shift the ball to her outside women.
With a top four spot potentially up for grabs, this Sunday’s feature match is sure to be a belter.
Make sure to tune into Qplus.tv for live and free coverage, this Sunday at 12:05pm.
