Dyldam Parramatta Eels Nathan Peats and Tepai Moeroa have been named in State of Origin-winning NSW VB Blues coach Laurie Daley’s squad of 22 of the NRL’s most promising players to take part in the 2015 Emerging Blues camp, to be held in Sydney in January.
The selection of Peats and Moeroa is a well deserved reward after showing promising signs in 2014.
Peats was unfortunately sidelined in Round 12 of the 2014 season with a ACL injury which brought an abrupt halt to his season. However, during his appearances for the Blue and Gold, Peats stamped himself as a quality NRL hooker capable of playing the entire 80 minutes.
Moeroa impressed with his barnstorming runs and outstanding work ethic during his 9 appearances in the 2014 season. The talented second-rower re-signed with the Eels during the season for an additional three seasons, ensuring he remains in the Blue and Gold until at least the end of 2017.
Seven representatives from this year’s Australian Kangaroos Four Nations squad were named in the list of rising stars including the likes of David Klemmer, Josh Mansour, Alex Johnston and Dylan Walker.
“It’s great we’ve got seven players from that [Kangaroos] squad,” Daley said.
“They’ve never played Origin before and it’s a great step up for them to come into our camp to see what New South Wales is all about. Hopefully they’ll take a lot out of it.”
The one-day camp is staged to give players of significant potential an insight into what it takes to play State of Origin football for New South Wales. A number of aspects are covered including NSW players’ physical and mental preparation and team culture
Click here for further Emerging Blues camp details including an interview with Laurie Daley.
2015 EMERGING BLUES CAMP PARTICIPANTS:
PLAYER - CLUB
Jack Wighton - Canberra Raiders
Paul Vaughan - Canberra Raiders
David Klemmer - Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Josh Jackson - Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Ryan James - Gold Coast Titans
Aidan Sezer - Gold Coast Titans
Dale Finucane - Melbourne Storm
Sione Mata’utia - Newcastle Knights
Nathan Peats - Parramatta Eels
Tepai Moeroa - Parramatta Eels
Matt Moylan - Penrith Panthers
Josh Mansour - Penrith Panthers
Bryce Cartwright - Penrith Panthers
Adam Docker - Penrith Panthers
Alex Johnston - South Sydney Rabbitohs
Dylan Walker - South Sydney Rabbitohs
Adam Reynolds - South Sydney Rabbitohs
Luke Keary - South Sydney Rabbitohs
Cameron McInnes - South Sydney Rabbitohs
Kyle Turner - South Sydney Rabbitohs
Luke Brooks - Wests Tigers
Curtis Sironen - Wests Tigers