Puara set to reach 100

SP PNG Hunters Wartovo Puara Jr will become the first player in the club to play 100 games when he captains the side in their round 13 Q-Cup fixture against Easts Tigers tomorrow.
Being one of the inaugural members of the side since 2014, the 27-year-old East New Briton described the achievement as one that would be emotional.
Knowing that he will play his 100th game, Puara said he was looking to back up last week’s performance in their 12-8 win over the Townsville Blackhawks, and would do his best to lead the side to their fourth win on the trot.
“I am happy at the moment about this and to be honest, I am emotional about it,” Puara said.
“I know the boys know that it’s going to be a big game for me and they will step up to the challenge.
“I know that it’s also going to be tough game for me because I’m standing in as captain in place of Ase (Boas) and it’s an honour so I’ll do my best not to let the side down.
“Being part of the team since day one, I think the style of football has changed a lot.
“For us to be part of the Q-Cup and in just four years and win a premiership, that has given us a lot of confidence and if we can build on that moving forward, nothing can stop us from defending the title this year,” Puara said.
Hunters head coach Michael Marum, pictured, described Puara’s achievement as an example to all upcoming players in their endeavour to be on top.
“I’ve kept an eye on him since he was young boy being part of the schoolboys programme and then when he made it up to the Rabaul Gurias,” Marum said.
“He has come a long way and to play 100 games at the Q-Cup level is something we all as a team should be proud off,” Marum said.
Coming off three consecutive wins in the Q-Cup the Hunters will be looking to write some history against the Melbourne Storm feeder club at Suzuki Oval in Brisbane.
“We’ve never won a game at Suzuki Oval, so hopefully we can turn things around and write a bit of history for ourselves there,” Marum said
“We know that the Melbourne Storm are on a bye this weekend and some of their players might have a run with their feeder club so we have prepared for that as well,” he added.
“But we’ve won three in a row and if we can turn up again and defend well we can get the two points there.”
SP Hunters: 1. Adex Wera 2. Junior Rau 3. Thompson Teteh 4. Willie Minoga 5. Butler Morris 6. Charlie Simon 7. Watson Boas 8. Enoch Maki 9. Wartovo Puara Jr (c) 10. Dilbert Isaac 11. Nixon Put 12. Ila Alu 13. Rhadley Brawa; Reserves: 14. Gahuna Silas 15. McKenzie Yei 16. Patrick Morea 17. Stanton Albert 18. Julius Yakopa.
Round 12 Fixtures: Sat, June 1 – CQ Capras v Townsville Blackhawks, Ipswich Jets v Burleigh Bears, Easts Tigers v PNG Hunters, Mackay Cutters v WM Seagulls, Northern Pride v Souths Logan Magpies, Redcliffe Dolphins v TH Seagulls; Sun, June 3 – Sunshine Coast Falcons v Norths Devils.