JASON DEMETRIOU has expressed his frustration at what he labelled “the most drawn-out process that I’ve ever seen” regarding his club London Broncos and their future.
In the wake of Papua New Guinea’s brave 34-12 defeat to England on Friday, Kumuls coach Demetriou was asked about the future of London star Gairo Voro, who has been the centre of speculation regarding a possible move back to his homeland and PNG Hunters.
Voro won the Championship Player of the Year after starring for the Broncos in a record-breaking season and is already to set to join PNG Chiefs when they enter the NRL in 2028, alongside club-and-country teammates Morea Morea and Finley Glare.
NRL and RFL officials remain locked in negotiations over an investment deal with a London promotion to Super League part of the talks, making it difficult for the Broncos to plan for the new season.
Demetriou said Voro’s future was “in London, I hope”, adding: “That’s the plan and that’s where we want him.
“Obviously, there’s been some delays in that purely because the RFL and English clubs are doing a great job at making this the most drawn-out process that I’ve ever seen but hopefully, we get in there.”
Demetriou does believe that London would provide the best environment for Voro to grow further, rather than Papua New Guinea’s current Queensland Cup side.
“There’s been a lot of talk about Gairo coming back to play for the Hunters but in my personal opinion, I think that would be a step back for him,” Demetriou continued.
“I think what’s best for his footy and his development as a player and a person would be for him to go back to London and I’ve had that conversation with him, but I’ll support whatever he wants to do.
“I think if we weren’t playing Super League then 100 per cent, he’d go back and play in the feeder system for the Chiefs, but playing in Super League would be another step up for him consistently week in week out.
“Getting to work on his English and his comms and being out of his comfort zone, I think if he goes back then he’d go back into the PNG-style of comms and it’s not going to help him when the Chiefs come in.
“That’s my thoughts, he knows where I’m at but I’ve got a lot of time for him and I’ll support whatever he wants to do.”
