How a Wallaroos gun found the fast Layne to NRLW success

A black eye, a fractured face and a new position might not sound like the ideal way to begin an NRLW career.

But for Layne Morgan, it was all part of finally returning to the game where her love of rugby and contact sports began.

The former Wallaroos star has already achieved the highest honours in rugby union, representing Australia 37 times and playing for the NSW Waratahs.

Yet after years of success in the 15-a-side code, the 27-year-old made the bold decision to switch to rugby league this season, returning to the sport she first fell in love with watching her father and brother play.

“As a young girl, I watched my brother and my dad play and coach, and that was in rugby league,” Morgan told NRL.com.

“It was a game I wanted to play.

“I got my first taste of it at a 10s tournament when I was 16.

“Union was the game I could play and get minutes in, so that’s where my union career started.”

What followed was an extraordinary rugby union career.

Morgan developed into one of Australia’s most respected players, but as she approached the next stage of her career, she realised there was another box she wanted to tick.

“I had a lot of success through that resilience and that drive of wanting to be the best in the game,” she said.

“Coming up to the last World Cup, I realised that I really wanted to play where my love for the game started, and that was rugby league.

I wanted to pay homage to why I fell in love with contact sports.

Layne Morgan

That meant swapping the scrumhalf role she had mastered in union for one of the most physically demanding positions in rugby league. Hooker.

And the transition has certainly tested her.

Morgan suffered a facial fracture in the opening round of the Harvey Norman competition, delaying her NRLW debut until Round 7.

But even a broken face couldn't keep her away for long.

Still sporting a black eye, Morgan finally ran onto CommBank Stadium in the No.14 jersey on Saturday and immediately brought the energy Parramatta had been missing.

The Eels ran out 30-18 winners over the Bulldogs to claim their first victory of the season, with Morgan playing her part in a performance that she believes is only the beginning.

“Definitely tricky defence, oh my gosh,” she said.

“Definitely some harder hits and some bigger runners but attack I feel quite smooth.

“I think transferring from nine to hooker in league has been pretty seamless, but definitely a big jump in that defensive area.”

For someone who has already represented her country in another code, simply making her NRLW debut wasn't enough.

“There’s so much opportunity with the NRL, and to play State of Origin would be such a milestone in a career,” she said.

“My debut was ticking the box and getting some games under my belt.

“There is so much opportunity and girls are seeing it in rugby league. They’re really wanting to come and explore and give back to a game that is growing the women’s game.

“The NRL has come from four teams to 12.”

Parramatta have welcomed Morgan with open arms as they continue to build a side capable of far more than their slow start to the season suggests.

And after finally getting her chance, Morgan believes the Eels are only beginning to show what they can do.

“They make you feel like family and that everyone’s part of it.

“It’s not because our roof is too low, it’s because we haven’t broken through that ceiling and we’ve got so much to show.

“There’s so much talent here.

“I’ve been backing these girls to get the win. I don’t think we’ve even shown what we’re capable of.

“It was nice to be a part of it, and back ourselves and show the competition what we really have.”