Wartovo Puara Jr


Wartovo Puara Jr is a Papua New Guinean professional rugby league footballer who plays for the Barrow Raiders in the Betfred Championship. He has previously played for the Papua New Guinea Hunters in the Queensland Cup since their inception in 2014. He has represented the Papua New Guinean national team, most notably at the 2017 World Cup. He primarily plays as a.

Early life

Puara was born in Kokopo, Papua New Guinea, and played his junior rugby league for the Kokopo Muruks.

Playing career

Puara joined the PNG Hunters in 2014 for their inaugural season in the Queensland Cup. He trained with the South Sydney Rabbitohs on a six week trial contract during the 2015 pre-season.
In 2019 Puara signed for the Barrow Raiders he enjoyed a great first season and was tipped by Barrie McDermott as one of 6 potential championship players that could play in super league. His form earned him a place in the PNG international side that took on Great Britain and won. In 2020 Puara signed a 2 year contract extension with the Raiders.
Puara represented PNG in rugby league nines at the 2015 Pacific Games, scoring 2 tries in the grand final and being named Player of the Tournament.
CapDateVenueOpponentCompetitionTGFGPoints
1
19 October 2014Lae Oval, Lae
1
0
0
4
2
2 May 2015Robina Stadium, Gold Coast
0
0
0
0
3
7 May 2016Parramatta Stadium, Sydney
0
0
0
0
4
6 May 2017Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
1
0
0
4
5
28 October 2017PNG Football Stadium, Port Moresby2017 World Cup
0
0
0
0