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Moeroa jumps straight back into league

3 minute read

Melbourne recruit Tepai Moeroa will turn out for a Storm feeder team on Sunday after switching back to the NRL from the NSW Waratahs this week.

TEPAI MOEROA of the Eels.
TEPAI MOEROA of the Eels. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Tepai Moeroa isn't wasting any time reigniting his NRL career and is set to turn out for one of Melbourne's feeder teams this weekend.

Moeroa had his first training session with the Storm at their Sunshine Coast base on Saturday after returning to rugby league from rugby union.

Moeroa spent six NRL seasons with Parramatta before joining the NSW Waratahs in late 2019.

He was starved of opportunities despite a horror period for the Super Rugby side over the past two seasons and jumped at the chance to join the NRL premiers.

The 25-year-old will play for Sunshine Coast Falcons on Sunday, who take on the Brisbane Tigers in the Queensland Cup.

Coach Craig Bellamy said he didn't think it would take Moeroa long to get up to speed.

"He had his first run today - it was only the captain's run but he's doing a bit of extra work with the injured and suspended players," Bellamy told AAP.

"He seems to be fitting in really well and seems as keen as mustard."

During his time at the Eels, Moeroa was considered a backrower but the Waratahs viewed him as a centre.

Bellamy said he would return to play in the second-row once he built on his fitness and thought he would be available for selection within weeks.

"We're a bit short with our middles at the moment so hopefully he will get up to speed pretty quickly - he was a really good player when he was at the Eels so we know it's there.

"He had a different role, physically as well as tactically, in rugby union so he had a different physical condition to do his job there than what we need in our game.

"He will take some getting up to speed but from what I've seen today it won't take too long."

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