David Buko

David Buko

Personal information
Full name	David Buko
Born	(1972-03-19)19 March 1972 Goroka,Papua New Guinea
Died	21 January 2002(2002-01-21)(aged 29) Goroka,Papua New Guinea
Playing information
Position	Fullback,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: As of 29 January 2019

David Buko(1972–2002) was a Papua New Guinean professionalrugby leaguefootballer who representedPapua New Guineain the1995and2000 World Cups.

Playing career

Buko began his career in the early 1990s and represented Northern Zone before first making thenational sidein 1993 after helping the Goroka Lahinis win theSP Cupgrand final. He played for the national side in both the1995and2000 World Cups.

In 1999, Buko joined theWestern 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 atCampbelltown Stadium.The club merged withBalmainin 2000 to form theWests Tigersand 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 againstFrancehis form was so impressive that theLimoux Grizzliesoffered him a contract.

Buko played a total of 12 matches forPapua New Guineabetween 1993 and 2001.

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