Marcus Bai has explained how he and son Cooper moved past the rift that fractured their family, as the Gold Coast forward edges closer to signing a deal with the PNG Chiefs.
Cooper was warmly greeted by his father at Port Moresby’s Jacksons International airport on Wednesday after being granted permission to explore his options ahead of the opening of the November 1 contracting window.
The 19-year-old has been high on the Chiefs’ list of targets since the club got the green light to enter the NRL in the 2028 season, with the forward proving a hit with local crowds in Papua New Guinea across his two-Test international career.
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But Cooper’s journey hasn’t always been smooth, and last year he invoked the ire of his legendary Kumul father when he turned down a deal with Melbourne Storm to remain at the Titans.
“He promised one thing… and then he went and did the other thing, and I was cranky with him,” Marcus told AAP.
“I said you’ve got to be fair and square, that’s not how you treat the clubs and people.
“It’s not good for us as a family, I was really pissed off with him for that, and I was really angry at him.
“Now (with the chance to join the Chiefs), I said go and have a look and you and your girlfriend sit down and (think through) before making a decision.”
Marcus said Cooper had shown maturity by speaking to the Gold Coast to ask permission to visit the Chiefs.
Cooper was due to visit PNG on a family holiday after he was ruled out of the Kumuls’ Rugby League World Cup campaign with a hamstring injury.
“He’s only young. He’s still finding his feet, and if he comes here there will be a lot of pressure on him,” Marcus said.
“The crowd here are tough, they tell you straight up (if they’re not happy).”
The chance for Cooper to join the Chiefs would represent a full circle moment for the Bai family.
Marcus left PNG in the 1990s to pursue a career as a professional rugby league player, going on to win titles in the NRL and Super League.
He would likely stand down from the Chiefs board if Cooper was to sign a deal to join the club for its inaugural season in 2028.
“I’m proud of his achievements, it is hard to do what he’s done and to be able to have an interest from many clubs, it’s pleasing for me as a father,” Marcus said.
