Morris stars as Roosters beat Wigan in WCC

Brett Morris has starred in his Roosters debut as the 2018 NRL premiers became the equal-most successful team in World Club Challenge history.

Morris scored a first-half hat-trick as the Tricolours beat Wigan 20-8 in front of 21,331 fans at DW Stadium.

Coach Trent Robinson claimed a second WCC title as the Roosters drew level with the Warriors, adding a fourth WCC title to their trophy cabinet.

Playing in the centres for the first time in his professional career, Morris crossed the try line less than three minutes into his Roosters career.

Filling the shoes of centre Latrell Mitchell, the former Canterbury Bulldogs winger resembled the premiership-winner with a barnstorming first effort.

His second was even more impressive, dragging four defenders over the line and planting the ball down to make it two tries inside 10 minutes.

The 32-year-old's hat-trick was complete when he stood up England centre Oliver Gildart to cross in the 32nd minute.

Grand final hero Cooper Cronk got through the match unscathed in his first hit-out since undergoing surgery to repair a 14cm crack in his shoulder blade.

Cronk's left shoulder was put to the test inside the first minute when he copped a hit from Wigan captain Sean O'Loughlin as the halfback kicked downfield.

He then used left shoulder to help put Wigan winger Liam Marshall into touch early in the second half.

A late hit from Jared Waerea-Hargreaves on Wigan hooker Sam Powell had all 26 players come together for a midfield melee midway through the first half.