Tepai Moeroa
{{short description|Cook Islands international rugby league & union footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2015}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Tepai Moeroa
|fullname =
|image = Tepai Moeroa Wenty.jpg
|imagesize = 285
|caption =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1995|10|2}}
|birth_place = Avarua, Cook Islands
|height = {{convert|190|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}
|weight = {{convert|112|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}
|position = {{rlp|SR|LK}}
|club1 = Parramatta Eels
|year1start = 2014
|year1end = 19
|appearances1 = 112
|tries1 = 9
|goals1 = 0
|fieldgoals1 = 0
|points1 = 36
|club2 = Melbourne Storm
|year2start = 2021
|year2end = 24
|appearances2 = 22
|tries2 = 1
|goals2 = 0
|fieldgoals2 = 0
|points2 = 4
|ru_position = Centre
|ru_club1 = NSW Waratahs
|ru_year1start = 2020
|ru_year1end = 21
|ru_appearances1= 7
|ru_tries1 = 0
|ru_goals1 = 0
|ru_fieldgoals1 = 0
|ru_points1 = 0
|teamA = Prime Minister's XIII
|yearAstart = 2015
|yearAend =
|appearancesA = 1
|triesA = 0
|goalsA = 0
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|pointsA = 0
|teamB = World All Stars
|yearBstart = 2017
|yearBend =
|appearancesB = 1
|triesB = 0
|goalsB = 0
|fieldgoalsB = 0
|pointsB = 0
|teamC = Cook Islands
|yearCstart = 2019
|yearCend = present
|appearancesC = 4
|triesC = 0
|goalsC = 0
|fieldgoalsC = 0
|pointsC = 0
|teamD = Cook Islands 9s
|yearDstart = 2019
|yearDend =
|appearancesD = 3
|triesD = 0
|goalsD = 0
|fieldgoalsD = 0
|pointsD = 0
|retired =
|updated = 30 August 2024
}}
Tepai Moeroa (born 2 October 1995) is a dual code Cook Islands professional rugby league footballer who last played as a {{rlp|pr}} for the Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League (NRL) and the Cook Islands at international level.
He played for the Parramatta Eels in the NRL and has played for the Prime Minister's XIII and the World All Stars at representative level.
Moeroa previously played rugby union for the New South Wales Waratahs in the Super Rugby competition.
Background
Moeroa was born in Avarua, Cook Islands. He moved to Sydney, New South Wales, Australia as a 5-year old.
He played his junior rugby league for the Colyton Colts, St Clair Comets{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/eels/how-parramatta-eels-hung-onto-young-gun-tepai-moeroa-despite-lure-of-rugby-and-olympics/news-story/7190333a7b8e4c7c057e91eeeae7da63|title=How Parramatta Eels hung onto young gun Tepai Moeroa despite lure of rugby and Olympics|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=Sydney|date=2014-08-29|accessdate=2016-07-15}} and Seven Hills Kangaroos.
Tepai started his Rugby Union career playing fullback for the highly successful Rooty Hill Raptors Junior Rugby Union club in western Sydney. When Tepai moved to Newington College he was no longer able to play club rugby but continued to play rugby union for Newington before being signed by the Parramatta Eels.
Playing career
After playing with the Penrith Panthers, Moeroa joined the Parramatta Eels. Moeroa played for the Parramatta Harold Matthews Cup team in 2010 and the S. G. Ball Cup team in 2011. In 2011, Moeroa played for the New South Wales under-16s team and was selected for the under-18s team in 2013 but had to withdraw because of rugby union commitments.{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/waratahs-chiefs-chase-parramatta-eels-debutant-tepai-moeroa-20140711-zt4wd.html|title=Waratahs, Chiefs chase Parramatta Eels debutant Tepai Moeroa|date=11 July 2014 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald|accessdate=2015-09-27}} In 2012, Moeroa played for the Australian Schoolboys rugby union team in 2013, along with the Australian rugby sevens team. Moeroa received nine caps over two years playing for Australian Schoolboys, the third highest number of caps equal with Quade Cooper and Kurtley Beale.{{cite web|url=http://www.espnscrum.com/super-rugby-2014/rugby/story/233631.html|title=Australia: Rugby's 'next big thing', Tepai Moeroa, set for NRL debut with Parramatta Eels | Live Rugby Article|publisher=ESPNscrum|accessdate=2015-09-27}} Moeroa played for the Parramatta Eels NRL Under-20s team in 2013 and 2014. Moeroa was compared with Sonny Bill Williams, who was also a cross-code athlete.{{cite news|title=Rugby's 'next big thing' set for NRL debut|url=http://www.espnscrum.com/super-rugby-2014/rugby/story/233631.html|accessdate=12 July 2014|publisher=ESPN|date=12 July 2014}}{{cite news|author1=Adrian Proszenko|title=Waratahs, Chiefs chase Parramatta Eels debutant Tepai Moeroa|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/waratahs-chiefs-chase-parramatta-eels-debutant-tepai-moeroa-20140711-zt4wd.html|accessdate=12 July 2014|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=11 July 2014}}
File:Tepai Moeroa.jpg in 2014]]
=2014=
Before making his first grade debut, Moeroa was considered one of the future superstars of the NRL and was compared to players such as Sonny Bill Williams and Nathan Hindmarsh.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/story/_/id/15337067/rugby-next-big-thing-tepai-moeroa-set-nrl-debut-parramatta-eels/|title=Rugby's 'next big thing' set for NRL debut|publisher=ESPN|date=12 July 2014 }}
In round 18 of the 2014 NRL season, Moeroa made his NRL debut for the Parramatta Eels against the New Zealand Warriors playing off the interchange bench in the Eels 48–0 loss at Mt Smart Stadium.{{cite web|url=http://www.parraeels.com.au/news/2014/07/12/nrl_late_mail_round_18.html|title=NRL Late Mail: Round 18 – Eels|date=12 July 2014 |publisher=Parraeels.com.au|accessdate=2015-09-27}}{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/the-new-zealand-warriors-have-beaten-the-parramatta-eels-480/story-fni3gs8m-1226986881246|title=New Zealand WArriors Have Beaten the Parramatta Eels 48-0|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=Sydney|accessdate=2015-09-27}} In his next match in round 19 against the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Moeroa scored his first NRL career try in the Eels' 12–32 loss at Parramatta Stadium.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/the-south-sydney-rabbitohs-have-beaten-the-parramatta-eels-3212/story-fni3ga7r-1226993733551|title=Rabbitohs Have Beaten Eels 32-12|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=Sydney|accessdate=2015-09-27}} On 24 July 2014, Moeroa re-signed with Parramatta on a three-year contract to the end of the 2017 season after Super Rugby clubs Waikato Chiefs and New South Wales Waratahs were trying to sign him to return to rugby union.{{cite web|url=http://www.parraeels.com.au/news/2014/07/24/young_gun_re_signs_with_the_eels.html|title=Young Gun Re-Signs with the Eels – Eels|date=24 July 2014 |publisher=Parraeels.com.au|accessdate=2015-09-27}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/eels-re-sign-the-next-hindmarsh/tabid/10874/newsid/80496/default.aspx|title=Eels re-sign 'the next Hindmarsh'|publisher=National Rugby League|date=2014-07-24|accessdate=2015-09-27}} Moeroa finished off his debut year in the NRL with him playing in nine matches and scoring three tries for the Eels in the 2014 NRL season. On 2 September 2014, Moeroa was named at {{rlp|sr}} in the NRL Under-20s team of the year.{{cite web|url=http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/holden-team-year-announced/|title=Holden Cup Team of the Year Announced|publisher=Rugby League Week|date=2014-09-02|accessdate=2015-09-27|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626101814/http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/holden-team-year-announced/|archive-date=26 June 2015}} In late September 2014, Moeroa was contacted by New Zealand Kiwis officials asking about his international intentions, wanting to include him in the Kiwis squad for the 2014 Four Nations, although Moeroa turned down the opportunity to pursue his dream of representing New South Wales in State of Origin and Australia and the country of his birth Cook Islands.{{cite web|author=Adrian Proszenko|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/nrl-finally-considers-churchill-familys-treasures-20141004-10qa9a.html/|title=NRL finally considers Churchill family's treasures|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=2014-10-04|accessdate=2015-09-27}} On 18 December 2014, Moeroa was selected in the Emerging Blues Camp by Laurie Daley, identifying him as well as 21 others as potential future New South Wales State of Origin players.{{cite web|url=http://www.parraeels.com.au/news/2014/12/20/peats_and_moeroa_nam.html|title=Peats and Moeroa named in 2015 Emerging Blues camp – Eels|date=19 December 2014 |publisher=Parraeels.com.au|accessdate=2015-09-27}}{{cite web|url=http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/nsw-announce-2015-emerging-blues-squad/|title=NSW ANNOUNCE 2015 EMERGING BLUES SQUAD|publisher=Rugby League Week|date=2014-12-19|accessdate=2015-09-27}}
=2015=
On 31 January and 1 February, Moeroa played for Parramatta in the 2015 NRL Auckland Nines.{{cite web|url=http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/eels-2015-nines-squad/|title=EELS NAME 2015 NINES SQUAD|publisher=Rugby League Week|date=2015-01-26|accessdate=2015-12-26|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707105149/http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/eels-2015-nines-squad/|archive-date=7 July 2015}} On 2 May, Moeroa played for the Junior Kangaroos against Junior Kiwis,{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/representative-round-team-lists/tabid/10874/newsid/85557/default.aspx|title=Representative Round team lists|publisher=National Rugby League|date=2015-04-28|accessdate=2015-09-27}} starting at second-row, scoring a try and being named Man of the Match in the Kangaroos' 22–20 win at Cbus Super Stadium.{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/junior-roos-hold-on-in-thriller/tabid/10874/newsid/85888/default.aspx|title=Junior Roos hold on in thriller|publisher=National Rugby League|date=2015-05-02|accessdate=2015-09-27}} He finished off the 2015 season having played in 19 matches and scoring one try for the Eels.{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/Ny0xNjYwLTQtLS0tLS0yMDg2NC0tLS0tLS0tLS0tLS0=|title=Custom Match List|publisher=Rugby League Project|date=2015-11-30|accessdate=2015-12-26}} On 26 September, he played for the Prime Minister's XIII against Papua New Guinea, playing at second-row in his team's 40–12 win at Port Moresby.{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/merrin-to-lead-prime-ministers-xiii/tabid/10874/newsid/89831/default.aspx|title=Merrin to lead Prime Minister's XIII|publisher=National Rugby League|date=2015-09-15|accessdate=2015-09-27}}{{cite web|url=http://www.parraeels.com.au/news/2015/09/15/moeroa_confirmed_in_.html|title=Moeroa confirmed in PM's XIII – Eels|date=15 September 2015 |publisher=Parraeels.com.au|accessdate=2015-09-27}}{{cite web|author=Tom Decent|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/australian-prime-ministers-xiii-beat-papua-new-guinea-4012-in-port-moresby-20150926-gjvoj6.html|title=Australian Prime Minister's XIII beat Papua New Guinea 40-12 in Port Moresby|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=26 September 2015 |accessdate=2015-12-26}}
=2016=
On 1 February, Moeroa was named in the Eels' 2016 NRL Auckland Nines squad.{{cite web|url=http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/eels-name-2016-nines-squad/|title=Eels name 2016 Nines squad|publisher=Rugby League Week|accessdate=2016-02-01|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204104458/http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/eels-name-2016-nines-squad/|archive-date=4 February 2016}} Moeroa finished the 2016 NRL season with him playing in 22 matches for the Parramatta club.
=2017=
In February 2017, Moeroa was named in the Eels 2017 NRL Auckland Nines squad.{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/2017-downer-nrl-auckland-nines-squads/tabid/10874/newsid/103308/default.aspx|title=2017 Downer NRL Auckland Nines squads|publisher=National Rugby League|date=4 February 2017}} On 10 February 2017, Moeroa played in the 2017 All Stars match for the World All Stars against the Indigenous All Stars where he started at lock in the 34–8 loss at Hunter Stadium.{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/indigenous-all-stars-thump-world-all-stars-348-in-newcastle/news-story/a016f102b1c7ddc5bbdeeedb83a149c5|title=Indigenous All Stars thump World All Stars 34-8 in Newcastle|author=Paul Crawley|website=The Daily Telegraph|location=Sydney|date=10 February 2017}} Moeroa was part of the Parramatta side which finished fourth in the regular season but were eliminated in the finals series losing to Melbourne and North Queensland. On 19 December 2017, Moeroa was named in the emerging blues squad by coach Brad Fittler.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2017/12/19/2018-emerging-blues-squad-named/|title=2018 Emerging Blues Squad|date=19 December 2017|website=New South Wales Rugby League}}
=2018=
Moeroa started the 2018 season at lock forward and played the first six games of the season until suffering a serious concussion in round 6 and was ruled out for two weeks.{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/eels-upset-over-arthur-locker-room-claims-20180503-p4zd1v.html|title=Eels upset over Arthur locker room claims|first=Matt|last=Encarnacion|date=2 May 2018|website=The Sydney Morning Herald}} On 2 June 2018, Moeroa was placed on report after using an illegal shoulder charge against Newcastle player Chris Heighington in Parramatta's 30–4 defeat. On 4 June 2018, Moeroa was suspended for three matches after taking an early guilty plea.{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/tepai-moeroa-jack-gosiewski-cop-suspensions-for-ugly-round-13-shoulder-charges/news-story/a892a98595ea1dd143f34d7910d23659|title=NRL shoulder charge bans: Tepai Moeroa, Jack Gosiewski suspended|date=4 June 2018}} In total, Moeroa made 19 appearances for Parramatta as the club endured a horror season finishing in last place on the table and claiming its fourteenth wooden spoon.{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/eels/parramatta-eels-season-2018-review-peter-sterlings-biggest-fear-after-horror-campaign/news-story/14f79c1c637fa8d03bbfa6d6b63b55f1|title=Parramatta Eels NRL 2018: Season review, Brad Arthur, Jarryd Hayne|date=3 September 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/Ny0xNzE3LTQtLS0tLS0yMDg2NC0tLS0tLS0tLS0tLS0=|title=Custom Match List – Rugby League Project|publisher=Rugby League Project}}
=2019=
Moeroa started the 2019 NRL season in the front row but switched back to lock as Parramatta won their first two games against Penrith and Canterbury. In round 6, Moeroa played from the bench as Parramatta defeated Wests Tigers 51–6 in the first NRL match to be played at the new Western Sydney Stadium.
In round 10, Moeroa was taken from the field as the player suffered yet another concussion and was taken from the field in a 17–10 loss against North Queensland.{{cite web|url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/live-scores/eels-v-wests-tigers-nrl-2019/319068 |title=Eels vs Wests Tigers – NRL match centre |publisher=Wide World of Sports |date=28 May 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/nrl-team-tips-squad-carnage-as-bunnies-panthers-forced-to-dig-deep/news-story/2a108c754ae04fad6aac9a58e276ebd4/|title=NRL Round 12 teams analysis: Brad Arthur drops four players, while Rabbitohs, Panthers forced to dig deep|work=Fox Sports|location=Australia|date=28 May 2019 }}
Following Parramatta's 44–22 loss against Cronulla in round 13, Moeroa was demoted to reserve grade by coach Brad Arthur after the club had only recorded one win in five matches.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/nrl-team-tips-team-news-injury-updates-and-suspensions-ahead-of-round-14/news-story/ac0941a09fa7203214a424b08edaa0a7/|title=NRL Team Analysis: Team news, injury updates and suspensions ahead of Round 14|work=Fox Sports|date=11 June 2019 }}
Moeroa was recalled to the Parramatta side for their round 15 match against Canberra which Parramatta won 22-16 after being down 16-0 earlier on in the game at TIO Stadium in Darwin.{{cite web|url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6247865/wighton-puts-hand-up-as-eels-slip-past-crap-canberra/|title=Parramatta Eels slip through Canberra Raiders' grasp|website=The Canberra Times|date=29 June 2019 }}
On 15 July, Moeroa announced that he had signed a two-year deal to join Super Rugby club the NSW Waratahs starting in 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.northerndailyleader.com.au/story/6273179/moeroa-rugby-switch-was-now-or-never/?cs=12474/|title=Moeroa: rugby switch was now or never|website=Northern Daily Leader}}
In the elimination final against Brisbane, Moeroa scored his first try of the season as Parramatta won the match 58–0 at the new Western Sydney Stadium. The victory was the biggest finals win in history, eclipsing Newtown's 55–7 victory over St George in 1944. The match was also Parramatta's biggest victory over Brisbane and Brisbane's worst ever loss since entering the competition in 1988.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-15/eels-make-history-with-58-point-finals-flogging-of-broncos/11505120/|title=Parramatta Eels eliminate Brisbane Broncos from the NRL Finals with a thumping 58-0 win|publisher=ABC News|date=15 September 2019 }}
Moeroa played his final game for Parramatta the following week as the club were defeated by Melbourne 32–0 in the elimination semi final at AAMI Park.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-21/nrl-live-semi-final-melbourne-storm-parramatta-eels/11527200/|title=Melbourne Storm crush Parramatta 32-0 in their semi-final to set up prelim against the Roosters|publisher=ABC News|date=21 September 2019 }}
On 10 October, Moeroa was named in the Cook Islands squad for the 2019 Rugby League World Cup 9s.
=2021=
On 10 June, Melbourne announced that Moeroa had been signed for the remainder of the 2021 NRL season, after securing a release from the NSW Waratahs.{{cite web |title=Moeroa to join Melbourne Storm |url=https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news/2021/06/10/moeroa-to-join-melbourne-storm/ |website=melbournestorm.com.au |date=10 June 2021 |access-date=10 June 2021}} He made his debut for the club in round 21 against Manly. Moeroa subsequently signed a contract extension to stay with Melbourne to the end of the 2023 season.{{cite web |title=2021 Signings Tracker: Brailey a Knight until 2025; Moeroa re-signs |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/01/23/2021-signings-tracker-official-rosters-and-contracts-for-all-16-clubs2/ |publisher=National Rugby League |access-date=5 September 2021 |quote=Mid-season recruit Tepai Meoroa has signed a two-year contract extension with premiers Melbourne. The former Parramatta Eel linked with Storm in June on a short-term deal after a stint in rugby with the NSW Waratahs and has played three matches at his new club to take his career tally to 115 in the NRL. Initially contracted to the end of this season, the 25-year-old will now wear the purple jersey until the end of 2023.}}
=2022=
Moeroa played eight games for Melbourne in the 2022 NRL season as the club finished fifth on the table. Moeroa did not feature in the clubs elimination final loss to Canberra.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/sep/10/canberra-raiders-upset-ends-melbourne-storms-september-reign/|title=Canberra Raiders upset ends Melbourne Storm's September reign|newspaper=The Guardian|date=10 September 2022 }}
=2023=
Moeroa was limited to only six games for Melbourne in the 2023 NRL season as the club finished third on the table.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugby-league/news/nrl-2023-melbourne-storm-season-review/af9dab1e4f900cda437dc53f#:~:text=The%20expectations%20for%20the%20Storm,clubs%2C%20but%20not%20the%20Storm./|title=NRL 2023: Melbourne Storm season review|website=sportingnews.com|date=25 September 2023 }}
=2024=
On 29 September, Moeroa played for North Sydney in their NSW Cup Grand Final loss against Newtown.{{cite web|url=https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2024/09/29/newtown-wins-premiership-number-nine/|title=Newtown wins Premiership number nine|website=www.nswrl.com.au}}
Statistics
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Team !Games !Tries !Pts |
| 2014
| rowspan="6" |{{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} Parramatta Eels |9 |3 |12 |
| 2015
|19 |1 |4 |
| 2016
|22 | | |
| 2017
|21 |4 |16 |
| 2018
|19 | | |
| 2019
|22 |1 |4 |
| 2021
| rowspan="4" |{{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} Melbourne Storm |4 | | |
| 2022
|8 |1 |4 |
| 2023
|6 | | |
| 2024
|3 | | |
| |Totals
|133 |10 |40 |
Shot put
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.parraeels.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/parramatta-eels/tepai-moeroa/ Parramatta Eels profile]
- [http://www.parraeels.com.au/team/profiles/tepai-moeroa.html Eels profile]
{{Parramatta Eels 2016 Auckland Nines Champions}}
{{Cook Islands 2021 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
{{2014 National Youth Competition Team of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Moeroa, Tepai}}
Category:Australian rugby league players
Category:Australian rugby sevens players
Category:Australian rugby union players
Category:Cook Island emigrants to Australia
Category:Cook Island rugby league players
Category:Cook Islands national rugby league team players
Category:Cook Island rugby union players
Category:NRL All Stars players
Category:New South Wales Waratahs players
Category:Parramatta Eels players
Category:Melbourne Storm players
Category:People educated at Newington College
Category:Prime Minister's XIII players
Category:Rugby league second-rows
Category:Wentworthville Magpies players
Category:Sunshine Coast Falcons players
Category:Rugby league players from Sydney