Parramatta Eels forward Tepai Moeroa has confirmed he is leaving the NRL for Super Rugby, signing with the NSW Waratahs on a two-year deal from 2020.
Moeroa has played 102 games for the Eels since making his debut in 2014, but now has his sights set on a different challenge.
The 23-year-old wants to play for the Wallabies, but more importantly, wants to bring the Bledisloe Cup back to Australia.
โFirst off I want to get a game with the Tahs, that would be a nice start, but the end goal is to win a Super Rugby championship, play for the Wallabies, but Iโd like to get the Bledisloe back in Australia,โ Moeroa told The Sunday Telegraph.
โThat would be something Iโd be looking to have an influence on and helping make happen.
โIโve been to a few of the Wallabies versus All Blacks games, just to hear some of the fans and people and their comments about Australian rugby. I burn, because I know that Australian rugby is so much better than what they think it is.
โJust the way they talk about Australian rugby makes me burn. I want to have an influence in helping Australia get back to where they deserve.
โI want to bring the Bledisloe back to where it belongs.โ
The Wallabies have not held the Bledisloe Cup since 2002, with the All Blacks triumphing every time over the past 16 years.
Ha ha, bringing the Bledisloe Cup back to Australia is far harder than bringing a Premiership to the Eels and that’s a tall order.
No great loss for the Eels. He hasn’t played regular first grade this year, so the change might be good for him.