ANDY Gaffney cannot wait to see Stargroth Amean and Wartovo Puara Jr in action for Barrow Raiders after the pair agreed to join the club for the 2019 Betfred Championship season.

The Papua New Guinean duo come to Craven Park with plenty of experience of playing in Australia’s Queensland Cup - one level below the NRL - for the PNG Hunters, along with representing their country in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.

Amean has played mainly as a full-back or winger, scoring 36 tries in 64 appearances for the Hunters, and adds to a back-line at Barrow which has already been boosted by the signings of Tee Ritson, Deon Cross and Jake Spedding.

The 27-year-old is returning to rugby league after nearly a year out studying science foundation at the University of Papua New Guinea and Raiders rugby director Gaffney is in no doubt he his an eye-catching signing.

“Stargroth can play wing, centre or full-back and he’s an absolute try machine, and it’s great to have him at Barrow,” said Gaffney.

“He took a year out the game in 2018 to study at university and he wants to get back into the game.

“He’s a top-drawer player and it’s great to get him at Barrow. I think we can all expect entertainment to go up a notch or two when he is on the field. Our back-line is now looking really, really exciting to watch.

“I think there will be a few eyebrows raised when people see he’s come to Barrow.”

Puara Jr, meanwhile, will be combining with Barrow vice-captain Nathan Mossop at hooker, taking over the position which was filled by Dean Parata in 2018.

The 28-year-old has been with the Hunters since their inaugural season in 2014, making 108 appearances and scoring 25 tries.

He spent six weeks on trial with NRL outfit South Sydney Rabbitohs during pre-season in 2015 too and has plenty of attributes which Raiders head coach Paul Crarey - himself a hooker of some renown during his playing days - is particularly eager to harness.

“Wartovo, as a hooker, is very, very explosive,” said Gaffney. “He’s really solid in defence, which we liked, and he’s very, very aggressive around the ruck, which is the sort of hooker Cresta likes.

“He’s played 100 games for the Hunters and we needed a hooker alongside Mossy, and he will definitely be a superstar in the Championship without any doubt.”

Gaffney added: “They are two great players and I can’t wait to see them start.

“It’s been to-ing and fro-ing over the last few weeks with them, and to get them signed up is great for the club.”