David Buko

David Buko (1972–2002) was a Papua New Guinean professional rugby league footballer who represented Papua New Guinea in the 1995 and 2000 World Cups.

David Buko
Personal information
Full nameDavid Buko
Born(1972-03-19)19 March 1972
Goroka, Papua New Guinea
Died21 January 2002(2002-01-21) (aged 29)
Goroka, Papua New Guinea
Playing information
PositionFullback, Wing
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Goroka Lahanis
1999 Western Suburbs 8 2 0 0 8
Total 8 2 0 0 8
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Northern Zone
1993–01 Papua New Guinea 12 5 3 0 26
Source: [1]
As of 29 January 2019

Playing career

Buko began his career in the early 1990s and represented Northern Zone before first making the national side in 1993 after helping the Goroka Lahinis win the SP Cup grand final. He played for the national side in both the 1995 and 2000 World Cups.[2]

In 1999, Buko joined the Western Suburbs Magpies, playing in eight games at both wing and fullback. Buko played in the club's final ever game as a first grade side which was a 60-16 loss against Auckland at Campbelltown Stadium. The club merged with Balmain in 2000 to form the Wests Tigers and Buko was not retained, instead playing in Wagga.

Buko returned to Papua New Guinea and again played for the Goroka Lahinis and the national side. In the 2001 series against France his form was so impressive that the Limoux Grizzlies offered him a contract.[2]

Buko played a total of 12 matches for Papua New Guinea between 1993 and 2001.

Buko died in January 2002, he had contracted typhoid in 2001 and had chronic fever at the time of his death.

References
  1. "David Buko - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". Rugbyleagueproject.org.
  2. Buko is dead Archived 2013-04-16 at archive.today Post Courier, 23 January 2002
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