Former Parramatta Eels second-rower Tepai Moeroa will make a shock return to rugby league with the Melbourne Storm this season.
Tepai Moeroa has defected from the NSW Waratahs and signed with the Melbourne Storm for the remainder of the NRL season.
The 25-year-old spent six seasons at the Parramatta Eels before code-hopping to the Waratahs for 2020.
Moeroa was released from the remainder of his rugby union contract and, according to his new club, will join the Melbourne StormтАЩs Sunshine Coast camp in the coming days.
тАЬTepai proved to be a very dependable player when he was with the Eels and we think he will be a good addition to our squad for the rest of this year,тАЭ the Melbourne StormтАЩs general manager of football Frank Ponissi said in a statement.
тАЬHeтАЩs still in his mid-20s so heтАЩs in the prime of his football career.
тАЬComing in midway through the season and changing codes will have its challenges, but we expect Tepai will adapt quickly to being back in the NRL.тАЭ
Moeroa played 112 games for the Eels from 2014-2019, including three finals matches. A Cook Islands international, he also appeared in one match for the NRL All Stars.
During his time in the blue and gold, Moeroa primarily played in the back row but after dropping some weight, slotted in at centre during his brief rugby union career.
HeтАЩll have his work cut out for him in cracking either the centres or the second row at Melbourne тАФ the StormтАЩs outside three-quarter stocks boast the likes of Justin Olam, Reimis Smith and Brenko Lee, while representative stars Felise Kaufusi and Kenny Bromwich appear to have locks on the two starting second-row spots.
The Storm play the Warriors for the second time this year on Sunday. Melbourne will hope to replicate the sidesтАЩ last encounter, in which Craig BellamyтАЩs men ran out 22-point winners on Anzac Day.
