Jet boating in Queenstown part of Melbourne United’s New Zealand getaway itinerary

[Glasgow]

Melbourne United will blow off steam jet boating in Queenstown before Friday night’s blockbuster against New Zealand in Invercargill.

The “reset” in New Zealand’s adventure capital is predominantly for rest-and-relaxation smack bang in the middle of an energy-sapping run of seven games in 21 days.

With three games in eight days still to go before the FIBA international window, United — which has relied largely on raw talent and recovery, not practice, in recent weeks — needs a boost.

“We’re going a day early … stop in Queenstown and just have a day to really reset for these last three games coming up, New Zealand, Brisbane and Sydney,” United coach Dean Vickerman said.

“We won six games by the FIBA window (last year), for us to have three more games right now to be able to … have a real crack.

“It hasn’t been smooth coming through this period, either, so hopefully we get everybody back on board and really have some momentum going into that FIBA window.”

Chris Goulding is likely to be on restricted minutes for the next three games, having already missed four matches with separate ankle, eye and knee complaints.

United recruit Alex Pledger will also be reassessed after battling with fatigue symptoms.

Melbourne has stacked wins despite the disjointed start and lapses in games, often marred by turnovers and blown buckets.

United had converted one of 14 three-point attempts to halftime last Sunday, in the come-from-behind seven-point win over Cairns Taipans, with Goulding, Casper Ware and David Barlow going 0-10 from the perimeter.

“I just feel like at the moment, when we haven’t practised and practised reps you feel like an NBA team where at times you just got to let talent go,” Vickerman said.

“When we dried up from the three-point line we were finding ways to get to the foul line, it was good to have a second scoring option.

“When you find a way to win (in this heavy period) these games are going to count a lot at the end of the year.”