Resurgent Parramatta have further bolstered their playing stocks for next season by re-signing talented young back-rower Tepai Moeroa.
Dubbed `the next Hindmarsh’ by Eels fans due to a similar gait and playing style to Eels legend Nathan Hindmarsh, 18-year-old Moeroa has committed for three more NRL seasons until the end of 2017.
Moeroa has played just two NRL games thus far for the Eels, debuting in their heavy round-18 loss to the Warriors.
He has been impressive filling the gap left by Manu Ma’u, who is likely to miss the rest of the season with an arm injury.
In June, Ma’u, Kenny Edwards and centre Vai Toutai all re-signed with the club until 2017.
“I’ve always played for Parramatta, and it never really crossed my mind to leave,” Moeroa, a former Australian rugby league and rugby union schoolboy representative, said in a statement on Thursday.
“The group of boys here is really great and it’s like family, and (coach) Brad (Arthur) has helped me become a better player, so I’m looking forward to the next three years.”
Arthur predicted Moeroa has a big future.
“Tepai is obviously a very talented player, but to make his first grade debut at just 18 also shows a lot of dedication and hard work,” Arthur said.
“He’s got a great work ethic, trains hard and has a bright future with the club, and I look forward to working with him over the next few years.”
Eels boss Scott Seward said the club beat off a number of potential suitors to snare Tepai, a Parramatta junior.
Parramatta travel to the Gold Coast on Saturday as they bid to keep their finals hopes alive.
Johnk
Guest
Would certainly love to see if they can transform Radradra into a centre, he certainly has the speed and size, unfortunately needs to work on his D and passing.
Fazed
Guest
While great news, that maybe prevents another local talent being lost to the club, my concern was to see Toutai's name on the resigned player list early in the year, then to find Sio has not resigned & likely to go elsewhere at seasons end, I would think the reverse should have happened or at least keeping the two of them. Since Sio was injured the backs have not looked as dangerous & losing Hoppa didn't help either. At seasons end Tonga heads to France, & leaves the club fairly short on with centres, with Hoppa & Morgan as the main stays. While letting Loko go the Canterbury was understandable, why are they still having to pay for him & it comes under the salary cap, there was talk of Inu coming back to the club, ok for a couple of seasons but that is going to be a weakness area for the club, unless Hayne ends up in the centres.