THE SP Hunters management are not happy with Wartovo Puara Jnr’s move to new Digicel Cup franchise Sepik Pride

Hunters question signing

The National Sports February 17, 2023.

THE SP Hunters management are not happy with Wartovo Puara Jnr’s move to new Digicel Cup franchise Sepik Pride, but have wished him well in his career.

Hunters head coach Stanley Tepend said he was not pleased with the procedure in which the Pride had communicated with the Hunters leading up to the signing of the 2017 Hunters premiership winning hooker.

Tepend said Digicel Cup franchises should respect the Hunters, in regards to poaching players.

However, Tepend said Puara was winding down his career and his move was for the best interest of his family.

“We would like to wish Wartovo all the best in his career and all the best to the Pride as well,” Tepend said.

“He feels that the decision was for the best interest of his family and we respect that.

“But for the Hunters, we always try to maintain a good relationship with all Digicel Cup clubs.

“As part of our progarmme, we allow players in our 25 players’ roster to go back to their respective clubs when they are not on team lists each weekend.

“But if a Digicel Cup club wants to get a player then there has to be a clear communication. The Hunters club must be respected.

“I was not pleased with the way Pride went about signing Wartovo especially in terms of communication between us.

“We invested in Wartovo, spent time in rebuilding him during the preseason after he was injured last year but he chose to move on.

However, Puara said on Wednesday during the signing with the Pride that Tepend knew about his move.

“I’ve followed the proper processes at SP Hunters, I’ve written a letter to the management to release me,” Puara said.

Meanwhile, the Doncaster rugby league club said in a statement that Watson Boas was contracted to the club until next year.

“The Dons are aware of a story regarding Watson Boas back in his native Papua New Guinea,” the statement said.

“Watson is contracted to the Dons until the end of 2024, and we can confirm that we have not released