NRL 2023: Jirah Momoisea has big boots to fill at the Parramatta Eels

Meet the signings Parramatta believe will offset the loss of three grand final heavyweights — lncluding a former All Blacks hopeful who’s shaping as a shock starting option.

Jirah Momoisea (centre), J'Maine Hopgood (L) and Jack Murchie (R).

The saying inside Parramatta HQ goes, that if you work hard enough, you can drive in with a hatchback and drive out with a hummer.

Production inside the Eels football factory, where no-names are turned into millionaires, has been on high speed from the moment the club fell short of their first premiership in 36 years.

The Eels have recognised their assembly line is about to be tested like never before following the departures of grand final heavyweights and factory graduates Isaiah Papali'i, Reed Mahoney, Marata Niukore and Oregon Kaufusi.

Such was the progression, on-field influence and skill-level of the quartet, a growing list of critics and commentators believe their departures to rival clubs in 2023, will see Parramatta nose dive down the ladder.

We’re about to find out.

(l-r) J'Maine Hopgood, Jirah Momoisea and Jack Murchie.

The Eels’ proven system that propelled all four players from obscurity and into a position of signing the biggest contracts of their lives is on the verge of spitting out the next crop of hatchbacks hoping to be hummers.

Offered a chance to develop and progress their football after false starts elsewhere are the latest members of the Eels football factory, J‘Maine Hopgood (Panthers), Matt Doorey (Canterbury) and Jack Murchie (Warriors).

However, it’s a former schoolboy rugby union star from New Zealand who had stints with the Storm and Newcastle that wants to emerge first from the Eels conveyor belt.

Little known Jirah Momoisea, 24, got the first shot at replacing Papalii on the right-edge for Parramatta in the club‘s opening pre-season trial against Penrith last Saturday night at BlueBet Stadium.

“I was taken by the group of boys the Eels had here and the success that they have had with developing players,’’ Momoisea said.

“I wanted to try and become part of that.

“I was ready for a fresh start.

“At this stage in my career, where I’m still building and trying to learn, when you see players like Marata (Niukore) and Ice (Papalii) and what they’ve been able to do under the coaching of Brad, it’s exciting.

”I’m keen to keep learning and see where it takes me.’’

Signed by the Eels for 2023 and 2024, the athletic backrower has played just eight NRL games since making his first grade debut with Newcastle in September, 2021.

He was originally scouted by the Storm, but only ever played for their under-20’s side in 2017 before linking with the Knights reserve grade side in 2018.

After two years of NSW Cup, a severe Achilles injury in the pre-season of 2021, followed by the suspension of the NSW Cup competition due to Covid culminated in Momoisea missing 18 months of football and crucial development, capping his opportunities to his total of eight NRL games.

Truth be told, Momoisea’s rugby league experience doesn’t expand too much further, having grown-up a schoolboy rugby union player and First XV captain for his Auckland high school, St Paul’s College.

It was at the same school, that also produced Kiwi legend Stacey Jones, that Momoisea wanted to be an All Black.

“I grew-up my whole life playing rugby union. I was a flanker and lock for as long as I can remember,” Momoisea said.

“My dream was to be an All Black.

“I was going through the Auckland Blues (Super Rugby club) system, but then suddenly, I got overlooked.”

“St Paul’s was predominantly a league school, so in that last year of school, I just wanted to try it.

“From there some doors started to open up.’’

Jirah Momoisea made his NRL debut with the Knights in 2021.

Accepting an offer from the Storm, Momoisea had just turned 18 when he said goodbye to his mum and dad and moved to the Sunshine Coast alone.

It indicated the constitution of the 193cm talent.

From the Sunshine Coast with the Storm, Momoisea landed at the Knights after the NRL abandoned the national youth competition (NYC under-20s).

He said he soaked up the chance to learn from the game’s biggest stars, while giving an insight into the differences between Newcastle and Parramatta’s pre-season training.

“I was learning heaps off (Knights forwards) Friz (Tyson Frizell), David Klemmer, Tom Glasby and Aiden Guerra, it was great to be able to pick their brain,’’ Momoisea said.

“It’s different to Newcastle, but I’m loving Parramatta.

“It was a bit of a shock when I first came into the Eels squad in those first couple of weeks of training.

“It took me time to get used to the level of intensity that they have at Parra.

“But once I got going, I started to find my feet.

“I’ve still got work to do to increase my fitness levels, that’s what the Eels demand of you.

“But I’m going to go after it like never before.’’