Jeeps coach Shane Arnold said his side’s Hospitals Challenge Cup bye leading into Saturday’s top-of-the-table showdown with University of Queensland was perfectly timed, despite its potential to kill momentum.

Jeeps host UQ in this weekend’s clash of the undefeated Titans, that week off prior providing Arnold’s troops with a crucial opportunity to recuperate after opening the season with five consecutive wins. 

“A few guys had been picking injuries and were a bit busted, so I think that bye did come at the right time, although it would’ve been great to keep playing to continue the momentum,” Arnold said.

“We’ve actually given the guys a full week off, they had a seven-day break after we trained last Tuesday night and I think they probably enjoyed that chance to refresh.”

Jeeps’ victories have come over Souths, Norths, reigning premiers Easts, Sunnybank and Bond University, with UQ also running undefeated through a remarkably similar start to the season, although they’ve also beaten Brothers.

The only notable difference between the two sides, so far, has been the sheer amount of points UQ has scored in those match-ups. That’s helped the Mick Heenan-coached outfit rocket to a seven-point lead at the top of the table.

For comparison, UQ have piled on at least 31 points in all six of their consecutive victories so far this season. Jeeps’ wins, against the same sides, have been significantly closer, the most they’ve scored in any one game is 34.

“The competition has been really close so far, outside UQ no one has really been stacking points on anyone else so obviously defending well will be really important for us across the entire game this weekend,” Arnold said.

“They’ve been scoring a lot of points and against good sides as well, they’ve scored a lot of those points late in the game too so fitness is a big thing for them I think.

“But they’ve been coached by Mick Heenan for a long time now and know their game inside out, they’re the best team in the competition at the moment so it’s going to be tough.”

Arnold pointed to UQ’s blockbusting back-row as major threats ahead of Saturday’s round seven epic, which kicks off at 3.05pm, also explaining he’s looking to his side to continue building on their strong start. 

“(UQ flankers) Will Roach and Pat Morrey are both very hard on the ball and tough to move so we know they’re going to put us under pressure at the breakdown, and (No.8) Iona Halaholo is a very damaging ball-runner,” Arnold said.

“So, like I said, we’ll need to be good defensively but it’s also about building for us, continuing to improve after the bye week. We’re working in a block system and taking a three-week-at-a-time approach.

“It’s a way for us to try and make sure we’re improving throughout the year in certain areas rather than going week-by-week and focusing on everything, but not necessarily improving anything.”