Roos pair Luke Sharpe and Paul Momirovski are no strangers to starring in the Green and Gold – both when playing for Wyong, and more recently, for Australia.
Handed the chance to wear the country’s colours at the Rugby League Commonwealth Championships in February, the Roos duo proved electric – playing a leading role in seeing the Adrian Lam-coached side towards an eventual gold medal.
“Yeah it was an unbelievable experience, winning a gold medal in front of our family and friends, it’s something we’ll never forget,” Sharpe told NSWRL.com.au of the Championships.
“[Australia U-23] played really well across the weekend, we’re all grateful for the chance to represent our country. To take home the gold was a bonus.”
Sharpe and Momirovski combined for a five-try haul in the tournament’s group stage, and the pair picked up where they left off as they returned to their post for Wyong in Round 1 of the Intrust Super Premiership NSW season.
Judged the Fullback of the Year last season, Sharpe took only three minutes to register his first try of the new campaign, before Momirovski slotted a pressure-point field goal in the final minute of play to edge the Roos in front.
“It was never in doubt that we’d finish on top,” Sharpe said, a wry smile on his face.
“It’s not the first time [Momirovski’s] done exactly the same thing, the boys back him in that situation. He loves when the pressure is on his shoulders.”
The stand-in No. 7 played down the match-winning effort.
“I was pretty lucky to be in a good position, I heard the call from the sideline and someone just had to take the snap,” Momirovski said.
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“It was far from a complete performance, but the two points is big for us. Towards the end there it probably didn’t feel like we deserved it. We were a bit patchy throughout, but it is only Round 1. Things will get better as our match fitness improves.”
The 25-24 win over Newtown sets up what looks likely to be tight tussle with the Mounties at Aubrey Keech Reserve in Round 2.
“It doesn’t get any easier… I think this year is going to be very tough no matter who you’re playing,” Momirovski said.
“We’ll look at the areas of our game that we think we can improve on, and there’s going to be a few of them where we need to be better against a quality team next weekend.”
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