Q&A with Darren Morson

With the Rugby League World Cup going to its final group stages this week, the stars and stories of the tournament are beginning to emerge. Australia’s Josh Aldo - Carr who’s wonder try was the highlight of the Kangaroos mauling of Scotland in Coventry and England winger Dom Young has made the transition from near unknown to National hero have made the headlines and no one is likely to forget the brave exploits of the Jamaican and Greek Boys, competing on the World Stage for the first time.

Behind all the superstars, each of the sixteen competing nations has a highly skilled and committed back-room staff, and the Hurricanes have their own representative in the off-field ranks with current Midlands Team Manager Darren Morson taking up a well-deserved role with the Welsh squad.

Taking time out from his duties, Darren gave us some insight into life as part of a 2022 RLWC National Squad.

How did the opportunity to be involved with the Welsh Squad come about and what has your role entailed?

It started really from an ongoing conversation with Mark Jones who is the Welsh Rugby Leagues General Manager, then when the opportunity came about to join up for the World Cup came up there was no way I could refuse.

I have come in as Assistant Team Manager and working alongside Bob Wilson, the Team Manager. It covers, as for the Canes, with a varied number of different roles but on a different scale with the World Cup, which is an absolute honour.


What is a typical working day looked like for you during the World Cup?

While in Camp it is very full on from breakfast to dinner. We have been based in Preston for the past couple of weeks, I will go ahead to training in the kit van to UCLAN where we are based, help get things ready for when the players hit the field. Then back at the hotel for team reviews, meetings etc.


I was at the opening match for Wales against the Cook Islands at Leigh, sat not far off the dug outs and saw all the Welsh backroom staff linked up for the Anthem. The pride shown in representing your nation, is that something that plays a big part in how the team prepares?


Totally, from our team room in the hotel there is lots of different quotes from the Welsh sporting world, quotes on how proud we are to be Welsh. We had a heritage evening, and the passion of the players and staff shines through.

We are proud to represent Wales, staff who are not from Wales you would not have known as the passion they have also is extremely uplifting to hear and see.

With the anthem you saw when we all linked up it was so special, as that is what we are about, proud and together.

Talking of pride, got to mention THAT Tonga Match, for me the Wales performance was up with the best in the tournament so far, I think you will all probably agree with that? Also, the videos that are doing the rounds on the socials of your lads post-match belting out ‘Delilah’ with the Tongan Supporters it for me, really summed up how special the whole World Cup concept can be!

Oh 100%!

I mean the atmosphere was fantastic inside and outside the stadium, the lads could have just got on the bus but instead are they are embracing the experience, getting involved and enjoying themselves.

That's how it should be and being in Camp, with them it’s just something so special.

In the Australia Scotland match preview on the Canes Website Midlands Assistant Coach Liam Welham was singing the praises of Welsh Coach John Kear, how have you found working under John?

I cannot praise JK high enough, you would think he was Welsh with the passion he shows and how proud he is representing us Welsh. Seeing how he coaches is something else, alongside Mark Moxon and Adam Daniels who again are doing an incredible amount of work behind the scenes.

To be in the presence of JK and hearing him speak about the game is something special, for someone knew like myself coming in and to be felt so welcome and part of the team is something I can’t really explain, but I have to keep pinching myself to make sure it’s real and I’m here.

What has been the highlight from a Welsh perspective so far of the tournament?

I think the Cook Islands game showed everyone what this team is about and how close we were in getting that win. It is hard to pick a particular moment.

Not wanting you to give too many secrets away but have you had any strange requests from the players for match day kit or routine? (Feel free to dish the dirt on the Canes boys as well for this one   )

Ahh unfortunately somethings will always keep between me, and the players so can’t give any secrets or requests there!!

Finally Darren, will we be seeing you back with the Canes next season and how do you see us progressing for 2023? (And that new kit!)

You certainly will be! Looking forward to pre-season already and getting back to it with the Hurricanes.

Thanks for that Darren and all the best for the rest of the World Cup!

#COYC