Hunters grant Puara time off to sort out family issues

Sports

THE SP PNG Hunters have granted 2017 premiership winning hooker Wartovo Puara Jr a temporary release on compassionate grounds.
Hunters coach Matthew Church said the 31-year-old East New Briton had sighted family issues that had to deal with.
Church said yesterday that Puara would join the team later in the season.
“Wartovo has asked for extended leave, he’s got some family issues here in PNG that he needs to attend to so we’ve granted him that leave,” the Australian said.
“He will remain in the country until he gets his family sorted out and hopefully if all go well then we can bring him down in at a later date.
“We wish Wartovo and his family well.”
Church added that he would not be releasing details of the Puara’s situation for privacy reasons.
“I am not going to disclose his personal information but we hope to see him back soon.”
Meanwhile, Church reiterated that the club’s Coronavirus (Covid-19) policy on vaccination remained unchanged with the entire playing group and coaching staff receiving their jab prior to joining the Hunters camp.
“All players had to be vaccinated before they came into camp and you can’t enter Australia without getting vaccinated.”
He added that vaccination was also a requirement for getting visas granted by the Australian government but no player was forced to get vaccinated.
“That (vaccination) was a choice and we didn’t force it on anyone and most of guys coming out Digicel Cup were already vaccinated.
“We’re still working on a couple of things and we are getting pretty close to be right to travel on Jan 28.”
Church said players and team officials who had any issues with visas or Covid-19 would remain in the country and re-join the club in Australia a week later.