Wartovo Puara Jnr

PUARA MENTORING NEW HUNTERS

Puara’a presence and charisma around the Hunters playing group, particularly the new crop of players enhances the strong Hunters bond and culture of old. Puara took charge of proceedings alongside former Hunters teammate Enock Maki at the team’s training on Tuesday, seeing the boys go through their paces in the absence of head coach Paul Aiton.

Puara and Maki are back in the Hunters system after joining the preseason camp as assistants to new head coach Paul Aiton. Coincidently the trio all played together for the national team, the Kumuls on numerous occasions in the past.

Puara Clarifies His SP Hunters Exit

The former Guria and PNG LNG Kumul decided to join the Sepik team in the hope of using his experience to boost the standard of domestic rugby league competition in the country.

"For me to go down at the Digicel Cup level, I can see the big difference in the level of game between Digicel Cup and QRL Hostplus,” Puara said. "And for me to go down there, I can help the boys in the competition there using my experience so once they come to Hunters, they're ready for that level and we can see improvement in our SP Hunters team.”

Wartovo Granted Leave

PNG Hunters Coach, Matt Church clarified that Puara had asked for some extended leave to sort out family issue that requires him to remain in PNG for an indefinite period until he’s ready to rejoin the team in Queensland later.

Church is hopeful all goes well for Wartovo and his family with issues sorted out once and for all so he can rejoin the playing group down in Queensland.

Supporters to fly PNG trio to Club

Willie Minoga, Wartovo Puara Jnr, and Stargroth Amean will be flown to join the club in Cumbria under the Supporters Trust of the club.

But that is not all.

According to the Barrow Raiders the Supporters Trust have offered to help with the costs of furnishing their future home.

All three players have been successful in obtaining a visa.

Flights have been booked for Thursday 10th January, with the trio arriving in Manchester on Friday lunchtime. 

Amean, Puara to play in UK

Barrow, who compete in the Betfred Championship: English League, managed to entice 27-year-old Amean and 28-year-old Puara to sign under a one-year contract.

In a phone interview with Puara, the PNG Hunter was excited about the move, saying he signed on having taken into consideration the welfare of other players to move up in the ranks.

Puara, who was the first player to reach a hundred games for the PNG Hunters, expressed excitement at what lays ahead of him in a few months’ time – a new international contract.

110 games for Puara

After the 2018 Intrust Super Cup round 23, Wartovo Puara Jnr has now played a total of 110 games, and isn’t showing any sign of slowing down.

Puara Jnr has been with the SP PNG Hunters since 2014.

From Vunadidir in East New Britain Province, the 28-year-old started off with his local club, the Rabaul Agmark Gurias, in 2011.

After three years with the Gurias, he joined the SP Hunters and boasts the title of ‘the most kept player’, alongside teammate Adex Wera.

“The experience has been good for us,” Puara said.

Hunters’ line-up maintained for round 15

Michael Marum said at the press conference today that he’s only added Edene Gabbie and Paul Wawa to the extended 20-man bench.

The 20-man squad is:

  1. Adex WERA
  2. Junior RAU
  3. Thompson Teteh
  4. Willie Minoga
  5. Brendon GOTUNO
  6. Charlie SIMON
  7. Watson BOAS
  8. Enock MAKI
  9. Wartovo Puara Jnr                   -       Captain
  10. Stanton ALBERT
  11. Nixon PUT
  12. McKenzie YEI
  13. Rhadley BRAWA

Interchange

One more step from another record

At a captain's training run this afternoon at the Guildford League's club, the Hunters were in great spirits.

Tomorrow's curtain raiser clash against the Penrith Panthers is just one more hurdle to jump before the Hunters wrap up their 2017 season.

Willie Minoga, David Loko and Wartovo Puara Jnr all had a good run this afternoon.

Skipper Ase Boas was out to get his kicking game right while brother Watson Boas is well and fit to play after being stretched off the field at Suncorp last week.

​Hunters leading 10-4 at break

The Hunters were under the pump right from the kick off; forced to defend in their own half in the opening minutes.

But solid defence denied the Seagulls early points.

After weathering the storm, the Hunters went on the counter attack and found the try line in the 12th minute through Justin Olam.

Ase Boas converted the try to take a 6-0 lead.

But the Seagulls continued to ask questions, threatening to score dominating possession.

The home side finally broke through the Hunters’ defence in the 31st minute when Sam Saville scored.