The Ipswich Jets expect a physical battle in tomorrow's Queensland Cup rugby league preliminary final against the Papua New Guinea Hunters.
The Ipswich Jets and PNG Hunters are vying for a spot in the Queensland Cup grand final. Photo: Facebook / Ipswich Jets
The Hunters 17 match unbeaten streak was ended by the Townsville Blackhawks last weekend, while the Jets beat Easts Tigers to move within one game of a first grand final appearance in seven years.
The Hunters beat Ipswich twice during the regular season but Jets co-coach Shane Walker believes his team is a chance if they can prevent the Hunters second phase play.
"They're a structured footy team and that flamboyance often comes off off an offload then their natural instincts come into play. We're going to have to be really strong in all of our defensive contests that we have with them, to lock up the ball, and not allow that to happen. They like to run nice and straight and hard and as you know they're big, strong, physical men so that's where the contest is going to be won."
The match is being played at the neutral venue of Wynnum Manly's Kougari Oval with the winner to take on Townsville in the grand final at Suncorp Stadium next weekend