No.9 Puara re-joins Hunters

By PARKER TAMBUA
PREMIERSHIP winner Wartovo Puara Jr has re-joined the SP Hunters on the Gold Coast as the South Pacific Brewery-sponsored side look to rebound from a slow Hostplus Cup start.
Despite recording just one win from the first four rounds, coach Matthew Church told The National yesterday that he would not rush the veteran back into the starting side.
He said rake Puara must earn his spot by proving his fitness.
“Wartovo re-joined camp last Friday,” Church said of the 31-year-old, who had been granted an extended leave in the pre-season due to family reasons.
“After missing a chunk of our pre-season, he has some work to do with our performance staff to get him up to the fitness required.
“Wartovo will have to earn his place in the team.
“Once the performance staff get him fit, he will have to play his way into the side.”
Church said he would continue with Wesser Tenza and Kingstimer Paraia as the Hunters’ one-two hooking punch in the meantime.
Meanwhile, the Australian coach said he was confident that his men would bounce back during the season as they remain hopeful of making the top-six finals.
“It was always going to take some time to find our feet,” he said.
“I believe we are developing and I feel we are getting better each week, we have a great attitude in camp. “Competitions are not about how you start, they are about how you finish.”
Church’s men will face hosts Burleigh Bears in round five at Pizzey Park on the Gold Coast on April 25.
The match kicks off at 3pm.