After Manly’s departure, Morgan Harper confirms a new club.
Morgan Harper, a departing Manly Sea Eagles center, has reportedly rejected an attempt from Sam Burgess to sign a new two-year contract with the Parramatta Eels as well as the English Super League.
After playing a combined total of 41 games for the Sea Eagles in 2021 and 2022, the center had established himself as a valuable component of the team. However, a disastrous performance against Siosifa Talakai last season put an end to his tenure as a first-choice player in Manly’s 17.
Harper then played just nine games in the centers for the Sea Eagles in 2023, with the emergence of Tolutau Koula and Christian Tuipulotu in the latter half of Hasler’s final season at the club.
In the end, Harper participated in three of the nine games he played in during 2023 during the final three rounds of the season, failing to cross the tryline at all at the age of 25.
But he will have the opportunity to revitalize his career with his move to Parramatta, who lost Waqa Blake, most likely to rugby union.
“We are eager to have Morgan and his young family join our Club. His talent and competitiveness will be appreciated, and I am confident he will prove to be a valuable addition to our team this season, said Mark O’Neill, general manager of football at Parramatta.
However, with the back line already consisting of backs Will Penisini, Bailey Simonsson, Daejarn Asi, Haze Dunster, Maika Sivo, Sean Russell, and youngster Samuel Loizou who will compete for a spot this season, he will likely still be on the periphery of the top 17 at the blue and gold.
Harper has played in 56 first-grade games throughout his career with the Canterbury Bulldogs and Sea Eagles, in addition to twice representing the New Zealand Maori All Stars team in the yearly preseason match.
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