{"id":150726,"date":"2025-11-24T06:06:06","date_gmt":"2025-11-24T06:06:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/150726\/"},"modified":"2025-11-24T06:06:06","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T06:06:06","slug":"parramatta-eels-sign-young-new-zealand-cross-code-convert-nrl-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/150726\/","title":{"rendered":"Parramatta Eels sign young New Zealand cross-code convert – NRL News"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Continuing to build for the future, the Parramatta Eels<\/a> have signed a talented young cross-code convert from New Zealand<\/a> after he decided to switch codes from rugby union.<\/p>\n

Following in the footsteps of Harry Inch<\/a> (Warriors) and Saumaki Saumaki<\/a> (Rabbitohs),\u00a0Zero Tackle\u00a0understands that Dru Faletolu has become the latest New Zealand<\/a> schoolboy to sign with an NRL<\/a> club, joining the Parramatta Eels<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Still only young, he will appear for the club’s Under-19s SG Ball Cup<\/a> team as they look to go one better in 2026 after losing to the Sydney Roosters<\/a> in this year’s grand final.<\/p>\n

A former Under-15s Super Rugby representative for the Melbourne Rebels, Faletolu also spent time in the Hurricanes Under-18s regional development squad earlier this year and comes from the famed Wellington College in New Zealand<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Becoming the latest New Zealand<\/a> rugby union prospect to sign with an NRL<\/a> club, the signing of Faletolu comes as the New Zealand<\/a> Rugby (NZR) body are currently in a fight to protect the nation’s best schoolboys from defecting to NRL<\/a> teams.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey [league clubs] unashamedly target rugby union development systems because they think they are so good,\u201d Crusaders boss Colin Mansbridge told Stuff<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere’s a lot of opportunities for young men and women now. And I think that other code does a very good job of relying on rugby union to be its development pathway.<\/p>\n

“They don’t do any of it themselves, they’re really lazy in that area.\u201d<\/p>\n


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