Quinlivan flies as Jets fail to take off

WARWICK SMITH/The Manawatu Standard

THAT'S MINE: Manawatu Jets forward Hugh Quinlivan makes a beeline for the ball during their loss to the Saints on Saturday night.

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Hugh Quinlivan cut a disappointed figure after Saturday's opening-night loss to the Saints, but he was one of the few Manawatu Jets players who impressed.

The 1.98m forward clocked in for 22 minutes off the bench and showed that when his fitness catches up to his effort, he will be a starter.

Quinlivan spent the past month overseas on holiday and signed for the Jets only last week, meaning he didn't have much time to fit into their offence. But he was still good for seven points and a team-high seven rebounds.

"We've got a lot of things to work on," was Quinlivan's blunt assessment after the game.

"Offensively, defensively and as a team, I'm not where I want to be at the moment.

"My fitness isn't there, but that will come."

The Jets didn't rebound enough on Saturday night as the Saints were more dynamic on the boards.

Quinlivan, 22, said effort was needed to improve across the team.

"They need to take personal responsibility for their man and we just need to get it done."

The former Palmerston North Boys' High School student predicted next weekend's game against the Hawks would see a better performance from the Jets.

- © Fairfax NZ News