Tepai Moeroa to debut against the Warriors.

Tepai Moeroa's trip to New Zealand, when he makes his NRL debut for Parramatta, will be a brief one.

However, there are moves afoot to ensure he spends more time across the ditch as Super Rugby powerhouse the Chiefs attempt to lure him back to the 15-man code.

Moeroa has been compared with cross-code superstar Sonny Bill Williams and is being courted by the Chiefs and Waratahs with a view to snapping him up when his Eels contract expires next year.

Not only is the teenager an Australian Schoolboys rugby representative, Moeroa is also a national shotput champion. Despite being unable to train this year because of his Parramatta commitments, Moeroa holds many state-age shotput records and is ranked third in Australia for under 20s.

The Newington College product was also selected to play Origin for NSW in the 16s and 18s age groups but had to withdraw because of his rugby commitments

In demand: Parramatta Eels rookie Tepai Moeroa.

But when the Warriors host the Eels at Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday, league fans will get a chance to see what all the fuss is about. The 101-kilogram, 188-centimetre forward will get to test himself against an in-form Warriors pack despite not being named in Brad Arthur's original team.

If you Google his name, one of the first hits is a YouTube compilation of breaks, offloads, tries and big hits that has made both rugby codes take notice.

Chosen to represent the Australian schools tour of Fiji and New Zealand as a 16-year-old, the inside centre helped Australia to only its second win against New Zealand schools on Kiwi soil. It was also the first team to defeat Fiji, New Zealand, Tonga and Samoa in the same year.

Moeroa's selection is another change to an Eels team that will again feature Chris Sandow at fullback after NSW star Jarryd Hayne was rested. The Eels are two wins off top spot on the NRL ladder but sit outside the eight due to points differential

"Yep Talking Parra had Tuilagi and Pezet at 9.5 and felt that was too high considering both had issues during the game, particularly the first 25 mins."

"With To'o and his comment of "Hard work beats talent" leans into what i suspect with my comments below as well. Discipline, ie hard work to get back in the line and move up when fatigued , the cover defending the fullback getting back in…"

"They are spot on. He did more wrong than right. The bounce of the ball goes the other way on Smith try and his own, and his performance would be crucified. They were very lucky bounces on somewhat selfish 3rd tackle plays. He was also at fault for a…"

Replies

Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 July 11, 2014 at 10:14pm

BOOM !
Semi-Trailor July 11, 2014 at 10:18pm

Excellent story.
Didn't know much about him
Till I read that.
Eels need to sign him long term if he's that good. He looks bigger then 101kg
- Semi-Trailor > Semi-Trailor July 11, 2014 at 10:30pm
  
  Do you know how many kg he is?
- Semi-Trailor > Semi-Trailor July 11, 2014 at 10:36pm
  
  Ok cheers mate
- Earl Grey > Semi-Trailor July 11, 2014 at 11:40pm
  
  That's a very specific guess..
Ham Sammich July 11, 2014 at 10:23pm

It'll be hard for young tepai against an always big pack in new Zealand but if his under 20's performances are anything to go by he'll be right.
SacDog92 July 11, 2014 at 10:25pm

Been watching this kid since he was 15 years old playing Union for Newington College. He is the real deal. I hope that Hayne re-signs with Parra for a bit less than market value so that we can upgrade Moeroa's contract and sign other players.
Alan Hunt July 11, 2014 at 10:42pm

I'd say letting Loko go was to fit this kid into the top 25, hopefully we top him up this year with a chance to extend the kid.
Eel_master-23 July 11, 2014 at 11:03pm

If brad Arthur is blooding him already I'd say he's apart of the clubs plans
PARRAMATTA'S ORIGINAL 2015 COACH July 11, 2014 at 11:39pm

tepai shits on hayne top bloke top player