Morea shines on debut despite short spell

PNG Hunters fullback Morea Morea didn't expect to make his Kumuls debut. Still, a failed Head Injury Assessment [HIA] test to Koso Bandi, gave the youngster a memorable moment to celebrate in the space of a 10-minute stint.

Making his first appearance as Kumul no.321, Morea racked up 58 meters in just 3 runs with a superb try on the stroke of fulltime as PNG Kumuls overpowered Cook Islands Aitu 42-20 to maintain the Pacific Bowl title.

The 23-year-old was prepared for the big moment despite being named as the 18th man, but it wasn't expected at such a short notice by coach Jason Demetriou.

"Coach told me to just prepare to play this weekend…anything can happen in a game so he told me just be ready to play so I did everything I could to be ready to play," Morea told NBC News.

"I grew up dreaming of this moment and I know I played a short period of time but it's all worth it."

The 2023 Hostplus Cup rookie of the year replaced Nene Macdonald at fullback as the Salford Red Devils star was shifted to wing, replacing Elijah Roltinga in the final quarter of second stanza.

After being sidelined by injury for 7 months, Morea struggled to regain his regular position dominated by Sanny Wabo in the Hostplus Cup season this year, which left him out majority of 2024.

Despite making a return in round 11, the Central lad had limited game time and no one thought he would be considered for representative duties at the end of year, taking into account his form.

"I don't think anyone expected me to be in Kumus camp and so am I," he admitted.

"I didn't expect it but coach believed in me and asked if I wanted to join the PM's XIII camp.

"This year has been really tough but I just kept working, hoping that someday I'll get back in the team.

"You never know what God has planned for you so just all the glory and honor back to him."

Morea said recovering from injury and getting back into form was tough, especially after a stunning season in the Queensland Rugby League Competition last year.

But the Papa native remained positive, hoping to make his PNG Kumul dream a reality.

Kumuls skipper Lachlan Lam played a handy role to get Morea across the line as the elusive fullback sliced open Cook Islands defence to score on debut.

Morea said his immediate goal now is to regain the Hunters no.1 position whilst hoping for more opportunities in the Kumul jumper.

The Jason Demetriou-coached PNG Kumuls outfit will face New Zealand Kiwis next Sunday in the promotion-relegation playoff.