PC Podcast Episode 20: PNG’s London Broncos Trio

PNG’s London Broncos Trio Open Up About UK Success and Historic PNG Chiefs Signings In a milestone 20th episode of the NASFUND PC Podcast Series, we sat down for an exclusive chat with the history-making Papua New Guineans currently lighting up English rugby league with the London Broncos. Joining the podcast from the UK were PNG Kumuls head coach and London Broncos coach Jason Demetriou, alongside the sensational trio of homegrown talent: fullback Morea Morea, five-eighth Gairo Voro, and exciting young hooker Finlay Glare. The trio recently made headlines across the rugby league world after signing historic development contracts with Papua New Guinea’s inaugural NRL franchise, the PNG Chiefs, ahead of their landmark 2028 entry into the competition. From braving the freezing British winter to smashing club point-scoring records and preparing for the upcoming World Cup, the boys and their coach opened up about their incredible journey. When Jason Demetriou took the reins at the London Broncos, he knew exactly where to look to build a culture of trust and explosive talent. Any coach who gets an opportunity to be a head coach and build something from scratch is going to go to people that he trusts, Demetriou said, adding that for him, it was more than just bringing the boys over. It was about showcasing the depth of PNG talent to the UK audience. Demetriou noted that while Papua New Guinean players have historically been respected for their unmatched toughness, this current crop brings a completely different dimension to the northern hemisphere by playing in the crucial spine positions at hooker, halfback, or fullback. He emphasized that these players possess all the traditional toughness of village rugby league combined with incredible smarts, guile, and raw speed, marking them as a uniquely exciting generation. The transition has yielded phenomenal results on the field, with the trio taking the Betfred Championship by storm through staggering individual statistics. Morea Morea Jnr has racked up an impressive 29 tries, while Gairo Voro has crossed for 25 tries in just 20 games, and Finlay Glare has contributed 14 tries in 13 appearances. Morea has completely lit up the competition from fullback, though he keeps his feet firmly on the ground, crediting a strong squad and the exceptional space-creating play of halfback Dean Hawkins for his point-scoring form. For winger Gairo Voro, the journey started slowly due to the brutal English winter, but he quickly adapted to become a massive fan favorite, recently breaking club history by racking up a stunning 44-point individual haul in a Round 19 masterclass. Voro admitted he didn’t even know he had broken the record until being informed after the match. Meanwhile, hooker Finlay Glare, dubbed the squad’s spark plug, has been turning heads with his creative vision and trademark cheeky flick passes, earning high praise from Demetriou as one of the most exciting young nines in the competition. Moving to the other side of the world brings massive off-field challenges, but living together in Staines has helped the boys forge a true home away from home. Glare shared that while the first few weeks were highly challenging due to the freezing weather, having each other in the same house created a family environment that kept homesickness at bay, complemented by a warm welcome from the club. The PNG culture has also taken over the London locker room, with Glare assuming the role of team DJ and introducing his international teammates to local PNG artists like Kronos, Tavin, and Sean Rii. He noted that teammates frequently ask about their culture, with some even researching Papua New Guinea online or learning how to speak Tok Pisin, leading to dedicated days where the locker room plays nothing but PNG music. Demetriou recalled laughing early in the year when the weather was so cold that Glare couldn’t feel his fingers to pick up the ball from dummy-half, but he emphasised that these raw experiences are vital for their long-term development as professional footballers. With the historic announcement that all three players have signed development pathways with the incoming PNG NRL franchise for 2028, the boys expressed great pride in being part of living history. Morea expressed that while playing in the NRL is a universal childhood dream, doing it with a home team makes it profoundly special. Glare echoed the sentiment, stating that while the ultimate childhood dream used to be simply putting on the red, black, and gold Kumuls jersey, having an actual Papua New Guinean team in the NRL is an incredibly historic milestone for their families, tribes, and the entire country. Coach Demetriou broke down the structural meaning of these two-year development contracts, explaining that they sit tightly within the second-tier salary cap rules outside the initial top 30 roster. He noted that recent rule changes allow development players to play first grade as early as Round 1 rather than waiting until mid-season, and emphasized that the two-year duration gives the trio crucial time to adapt to elite systems without the immense pressure of hitting the ground running in an intense inaugural year. Looking ahead to a World Cup campaign looming in October, Demetriou is casting his net widely to build a powerhouse Kumuls squad, keeping a close eye on PNG talent thriving across the NRL, Super League, and the Hostplus Cup. He noted that naming the mandatory 40-man squad by August will be exceptionally difficult due to the sheer volume of talent available, highlighting the current form of players like Cooper Bai, Roderick Tai, Valentine Richard, and the contingent at the Leigh Leopards. As for the future of the PNG Chiefs, Demetriou believes the franchise shouldn’t just look to make up the numbers when 2028 rolls around, stating firmly that teams enter the NRL to win titles, not just to wear the tracksuit. With a passionate population of 10 million people backing them and a great coach at the helm, Demetriou concluded that it will be a truly special day to watch these local products make their NRL debuts after seeing the immense sacrifices they have made to get there.