Morgan Harper

See also: Morgan Harper Nichols and Morgan Harper (lawyer)

Morgan Harper
Personal information
Born (1998-08-28) 28 August 1998 (age 26)
Hamilton, New Zealand
Height186 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight95 kg (14 st 13 lb)
Playing information
PositionCentre
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2019–20 Canterbury Bulldogs 2 0 0 0 0
2020–23 Manly Sea Eagles 54 15 0 0 60
2024 Parramatta Eels 8 4 0 0 16
Total 64 19 0 0 76
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2018 Junior Kiwis 1 0 0 0 0
2019 NSW Residents 1 0 1 0 2
2022–23 Māori All Stars 2 0 0 0 0
Source: [1]
As of 25 May 2024

Morgan Harper (born 28 August 1998) is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who plays as a centre for the North Sydney Bears in the NSW Cup.

He previously played in the National Rugby League (NRL) for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, and Parramatta Eels.

Background

Harper was born in Hamilton, New Zealand. Harper is of Māori (Ngāti Maniapoto mother and Ngāti Tūwharetoa father) and Irish descent.[2][3]

He played his junior rugby league for the Ngaruawahia Panthers in the Waikato Rugby League.[4]

Career

Harper made his NRL debut for Canterbury-Bankstown against the Brisbane Broncos in round 25 of the 2019 NRL season.[5] In round 17 of the 2020 NRL season, Harper scored two tries for Manly-Warringah in a 34–32 defeat against the Wests Tigers at Brookvale Oval.[6] In round 19 of the 2021 NRL season, he scored a hat-trick for Manly in their 44–24 victory over the Wests Tigers.[7] Harper played a total of 18 games for Manly in the 2022 NRL season scoring four tries as the club finished 11th on the table and missed out on the finals.[8]

2023

Harper was limited to only nine appearances for Manly in the 2023 NRL season as the club missed the finals. On 16 October 2023, Harper signed a one-year deal to join Parramatta starting in 2024.[9]

2024

In round 1 of the 2024 NRL season, Harper made his club debut for Parramatta and scored a try as they defeated arch-rivals Canterbury 26-8.[10] Following a couple of indifferent performances to start the 2024 season, Harper was demoted to reserve grade by Parramatta head coach Brad Arthur.[11]

Harper made only eight appearances for Parramatta in the 2024 season as the club finished 15th on the table.[12] On 11 September 2024, it was announced that Harper would be departing the Parramatta club after not being offered a new contract.[13] On 17 November, it was announced that Harper signed with NSW Cup side North Sydney Bears for the 2025 season.[14]

Statistics

Year Team Games Tries Pts
2019 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 1 0 0
2020 1 0 0
2020 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 4 3 12
2021 23 8 32
2022 18 4 16
2023 9 0 0
2024 Parramatta Eels 8 4 16
Totals 64 19 76

References

  1. ^ Rugby League Project
  2. ^ Cousins, Wayne (9 February 2022). "Morgan Harper honoured to represent Maori All Stars". SeaEagles.com.au.
  3. ^ Clarke, George (20 April 2022). "Keary to consider Ireland's call". Campbelltown-Macarthur Advertiser.
  4. ^ Proszenko, Adrian (16 September 2021). "How family and footy have combined for Manly Sea Eagles centre Morgan Harper". Sydney Morning Herald.
  5. ^ "Round 25 team lists". NRL.com. 3 September 2019.
  6. ^ "David Nofoaluma 'definitely' deserves NSW Blues selection says Maguire following Manly miracle". www.sportingnews.com.
  7. ^ "Penrith beat Brisbane 18-12, South Sydney thrash Warriors 60-22, Manly outclass Tigers 44-24". www.abc.net.au.
  8. ^ "NRL 2022: Manly Sea Eagles season review". www.sportingnews.com. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  9. ^ "Morgan Harper joins Eels". www.parraeels.com.au.
  10. ^ "Dogs' Foxx fear compounds rough night; Eels may have finally solved big issue: What we learned". www.foxsports.com.au.
  11. ^ "NRL Round 5 Team Lists 2024". www.nrl.com.
  12. ^ "The Mole's end of season review: What went wrong at the Parramatta Eels?". www.nine.com.au.
  13. ^ "Eels farewell departing players". www.parraeels.com.au.
  14. ^ Pryde, Scott (17 November 2024). "Former Junior Kiwi lands new home for 2025". Zero Tackle. Retrieved 17 November 2024.