Blue and Gold forward Tepai Moeroa has reflected on his recent week spent with the World All Stars ahead of their NRL All Stars clash.
Moeroa cherished the moments on and off the field, and the 21 year old managed to share his love and passion for the game with the community.
“The week was enjoyable, we went into camp on the Monday after the Nines and it was a good week of training and spreading the game of rugby league into the community and all different nations,” Moeroa said.
“The beautiful thing about rugby league is no matter if you come from a different nation or a different background, through the game we can all come together as one.”
It was a real learning experience for the young forward, and definitely one he would took a lot from.
“It was a good learning experience getting to play alongside guys you have never played with, learning their style and adjusting to suit them,” Moeroa said.
“I gravitated towards a few of the other players, Jordan Mclean from the Melbourne Storm and Gavin Cooper from the North Queensland Cowboys, obviously being a back rower who has won a premiership!”
“But all the forwards were world-class players, and being able to learn bit by bit off each one of them was good.”
And not only learning to play along side new players, but Moeroa was forced to play against fellow Blue & Gold teammate and Indigenous All Stars winger Bevan French.
“I think I tackled Bevan once, grabbed him by the neck and there was a bit of a niggle but we had a bit of a laugh about it afterwards!” Moeroa said.
“I asked if he remembered about the tackle after the game and he did!”
“He also told me in the lead up, that he would be looking right at me during the war dance but I just tried to avoid eye contact!,” he added.
“It was pretty spine-tingling to come face to face with [the pre-game war dance] and a moment I will remember.”
However Moeroa’s sights are now focused on the season ahead.
With two weeks left until the start of the season, Moeroa is ready to pull on the Blue & Gold.
“We have two weeks to go till we finally kick off Round One. I am just looking forward to finally start the season with the boys!” Moeroa said.
“It’s been a long off-season and I think everyone is ready to just pull on the Blue & Gold jersey and have a crack.”
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