St George Illawarra Dragons winger Brett Morris is thrilled at the prospect of donning the Green and Gold on home soil following the announcement of a 2014 Rugby League Four Nations fixture being held at WIN Stadium, Wollongong on Thursday.
As a tribute to Kangaroos heroes from the Illawarra region, the NRL, after working alongside the Dragons to secure this fixture, has scheduled the historic event to be held for the first time at WIN Stadium, Wollongong on Sunday, November 9.
The 27-year-old has suited up for Australia 13 times throughout his career and is determined to acquire a position in the international side for the seven-match tournament that begins on October 25.
“This is a huge event, it’s great for the game of Rugby League and it’s great for the town of Wollongong,” said Morris.
“A lot of great players have come from the Illawarra region and it’s a great event on the calendar with such a high quality game here in Wollongong.
“I’m keen to get out there in the green and gold but I’ll be focusing on playing good footy for the Dragons to be selected on the end of year tour.
“I would love to play for Australia in front of my family on home soil at a ground that I consider to be my home ground.
“I’ve played a lot of footy here over the year and I believe some of my best has been out on that field so to run out there in the Kangaroos jersey would be awesome.
“There’s some great talent that has emerged from this region and I hope to see them at the game; I’m sure they’d all love to be out there playing a test match if they have the chance.
“I think there is more incentive for the boys to push for that green and gold jersey because it’s at a home ground; it’ll definitely be in the back of their minds that there will be a test match here at the end of the year.”
Minister for the Illawarra and Red V devotee, John Ajaka is ecstatic that Wollongong will have the opportunity to flaunt their assets and is hoping to see an on-field reunion of the Morris brothers.
“This is absolutely brilliant; it gives us a chance to showcase everything that the Illawarra has to offer, not just to Australia, but to the rest of the world.
“I’m a Dragons tragic, I absolutely love them and I have all my life; I was born in the Illawarra and grew up in the St George area.
“I want to see as many Dragons players in the Kangaroos jersey; I don’t only want to see Brett Morris in the green and gold but I want to see his twin brother out there too.
“It would be wonderful to have both Morris boys here on home soil, it would be just fantastic.
“We’ve had some of the greatest Australian footballers come from the Illawarra and that will continue to happen; it’s a great area for football and I’ll be thrilled to see Brett Morris make it to the Australian team.”
