Jason Demetriou says leading Papua New Guinea has helped restore belief in his coaching ability as the axed South Sydney mentor plots a Pacific Championships boilover against New Zealand.
Demetriou was sacked by the Rabbitohs in April, less than seven games after he signed a three-year contract extension.
The 48-year-old has yet to return to a fulltime coaching gig but was entrusted with guiding the Kumuls in the Pacific Bowl.
Demetriou’s appointment comes at a time when interest in the fortunes of PNG rugby league has never been higher ahead of the slated entry of a Port Moresby-based franchise into the NRL.
After winning both of his PNG games in charge, while missing several key names, Demetriou has a chance to end 2024 on a high.
The Kumuls face the Kiwis in the Pacific Championships promotion/relegation play-off at CommBank Stadium on Sunday.
“Coaching PNG has probably been the perfect scenario, I didn’t want to sit at home feeling sorry for myself,” he told AAP.
“To spend some time in PNG and with this group, it has revitalised me and given me a lot of confidence in what I do.
“The team has responded really well to that and I’m happy with how the group has grown together and has been driven to do what we set out to do and that’s raise our ranking.
“I miss it (day to day coaching) but every journey is there for a reason and I have learned a heap, particularly in the 12 months before I finished.
“I felt like there were opportunities for those learnings to improve us at Souths but the powers that be made their decision, and all I can do is focus on what I'm doing next and coaching PNG is a very privileged position.”
PNG have only beaten the Kiwis once and haven't played a match against New Zealand since 2013.
Pulling off an unlikely upset would be even more remarkable considering Demetriou’s side for this year’s tournament is without Xavier Coates, Justin Olam and Edwin Ipape.
Their absences have given several of the nation’s emerging players a chance to shine and move beyond the PNG Hunters side in the Queensland Cup.
Electrifying fullback Morea Morea has already earned a train-and-trial deal with the North Queensland Cowboys and hooker Judah Rimbu, who won the Queensland Cup player-of-the-year award, has just put pen to paper on a move to Super League club Castleford.
“There’s no doubt that in the future this team can be special,” Demetriou said.
“They’re tapping on the door and Morea would have caught a few eyes last week against the Cooks.
“In 2023 he was the Queensland Cup rookie of the year - he’s had an injury-riddled year but he is a star of the future.
“There’s plenty of opportunities for these guys and that’s the exciting thing about the (NRL) bid.
“It's not always about going overseas, there's a hope that we can keep the best players in the country for when the bid team comes in.”
