RABAUL Gurias coach Wartovo Puara Jnr has credited his players, coaching staff, sponsors and supporters for helping the team secure the 2026 Digicel ExxonMobil Cup premiership.
Puara made the comments during the post-match press conference at the Santos National Football Stadium yesterday after the Gurias defeated the Mendi Muruks 26–14 in the grand final.
“Credit goes back to the team and my staff. Without my trainers, team managers, chairman, and also our good governor, former Gurias and Hunters coach Michael Marum, who has been very supportive and helpful to me since last year, we wouldn’t have achieved this,” Puara said.
He also thanked the team’s sponsors, supporters and families for standing behind the Gurias throughout the season.
“I just want to say thank you to all the sponsors and supporters around the country, the families of the boys and everyone back home, all the people of East New Britain and the New Guinea Islands. Thank you for your prayers and for
standing with us throughout the whole season,” he said.
The Gurias made a slow start to the grand final, committing several errors in the opening half, but regained their composure and maintained discipline after the break.
“I think in the first half we made a lot of errors, but in the second half we went back there and completed our sets,” Puara said.
The victory ended an 11-year wait for the Gurias to reclaim the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup title.
“It has been 11 years, so it’s really good to get the trophy. We are going to bring it back to the East, and hopefully we can keep it next year,” he added.