2025 NRL Schoolboys Cup national final: Taupau-Moors takes lessons from NSW Cup to national final

This Wests Tigers young gun capped a rapid rise from SG Ball Cup to the NSW Cup. But it’s the lessons he learned in the state league which will be key in the Schoolboys Cup national final.

Patrician Brothers Blacktown will be leaning on the experience of explosive front rower Christian Taupau-Moors as they prepare for a NRL Schoolboys Cup final showdown against Keebra Park.

The Wests Tigers young gun has made giant leaps on the football field this season, rising from SG Ball Cup bruiser at the start of the season to make his NSW Cup debut.

Christian Taupau-Moors has made a big impact coming off the bench for Patrician Brothers College this season. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

Taupau-Moors was among a trio of schoolboys teenagers to be given an opportunity in the Western Suburbs Magpies NSW Cup side along with Bass High’s Pheonix Godinet and NRL bolter Heamasi Makasini.

Magpies NSW Cup coach Aaron Payne said it was a chance to give those teenagers an opportunity to take the next step in their development with the pressure off.

He was far from a fish out of water, with the front rower proving he could hold his own among current NRL talents, hardened state cup players and front rowers more than 10 years his senior.

“They have all held their gloves up at that level,” Payne said. “How they went was not important though. It was more about the opportunity.”

Christian Taupau-Moors was a dominant force in the SG Ball Cup for Western Suburbs earlier this year. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

Patrician Brothers coach Noah Meares said while the school had a number of players make the step up to Jersey Flegg (Under-21s), to see a player reach NSW Cup was a proud achievement.

“That one was a bit of a surprise because that is such a big jump to NSW Cup,” he said. “To make the double jump (from SG Ball Cup) is an incredible achievement.

Christian Taupau-Moors in action for Patrician Brothers College in the Peter Mulholland Cup final. Picture: Rome Bennett Photography

“Anyone who watched the SG ball this year had a good understanding there would be a lot of boys graduating (to Jersey Flegg) quickly because the competition was very skilful and physical.

“I think when you watch the technical skill and tactical awareness and how that has been fine tuned at that level, you can see they are ready.”

Taupau-Moors is among a crop of exciting juniors coming through the ranks at the Wests Tigers. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

Taupau-Moors, the nephew of ex-NRL hardman Junior Moors, certainly proved he was ready for the challenge.

“He looks like he has handled himself physically,” Meares said. “He has never had a shyness in his physicality. You wouldn’t find a front rower at that age who doesn’t enjoy that part of the game.”

As for what he has brought back from the top grades, Meares said it was more about what happens behind the scenes.

Taupau-Moors has inherited the physicality that was a key part of his uncle Junior Moors game during stints with the Melbourne Storm and Wests Tigers. Picture: Colleen Petch

“I have seen a difference in his preparation and the leadership qualities he has taken on,” Meares said.

“In terms of his game, not a difference as of yet but it is something I am looking forward to seeing come out in the national final.”

The Patrician Brothers side features a number of young players who have made the step up to Jersey Flegg level including Parramatta Eels duo Chris Petrus and Cameron Bamblett, as well as captain Roman Tuaimau at the Canberra Raiders.

Petrus, Tuaimau and Bamblett were all named in the Australian Schoolboys side earlier this year after strong performances at the ASSRL National Championships.

Originally published as 2025 NRL Schoolboys Cup national final: Taupau-Moors takes lessons from NSW Cup to national final