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To say Fuifui Moimoi is a cult figure at the Eels is an understatement.
Having arrived at the club as an outcast on a one-year contract in 2004 from the Rabbitohs, the Tongan born forward slowly made a name for himself with bustling straight running, always taking two or three defenders with him to the ground on each hit up.
The cry of ‘Fui’ echoes around Parramatta Stadium every time he takes the ball up, and if his personality isn’t colourful enough, his hair sure makes up for it with a different array of styles paraded every game.
The usually reserved player is also well known for borrowing gear from his teammates at the end of the season and taking them home to Tonga to share with his village and local league team.
Moimoi has a famous story that revolves around his short stints in first grade with South Sydney. He started walking out of training after the warm-up and the coach at the time, Paul Langmack, called out to him, ‘Where are you going?’. Fui cheekily replied, ‘I’m going home. I play 10 minutes, I train 10 minutes’.
OnTuesday, Fui reportedly walked out of training after finishing a session feeling “shattered”. He has been named as 18th man to play against Manly this Friday night, in what would have been his last home game with the Eels.
The 34-year-old, along with Ben Smith and the injured Willie Tonga, will be farewelled on the night, but is unlikely to play with Junior Paulo resuming his position in the front row with Tim Mannah after his suspension.
This is cruel blow for the New Zealand representative, who was in danger of not making his 200th game after being dropped earlier in the season by coach Brad Arthur. While the Eels’ finals campaign hangs by a thread after the controversy of last week’s match against the Bulldogs, Arthur has decided to play his best line-up, which unfortunately for Moimoi, doesn’t include him.
I am torn. I still believe Fui has what it takes in first grade and has made some impressive runs when on the park this season. But the runs have been less and less frequent, and with Juinior Paulo being a young revelation, Fui has found it hard to match his exuberance and penetration. It was sad to see the fans turn out in Darwin two weeks ago with Fui banners, only for him not to run out with the team.
I wouldn’t be upset if Fui was put onto the bench ahead of Peni Terepo for this match, at least to let the Parramatta faithful say farewell, but Arthur is a professional and has made the call for the good of the team.
In any case, if Fui doesn’t make it onto the field for the game, the sell-out crowd on Friday night will be sure to chant ‘Fui’ at the top of their lungs during his lap of honour for a fantastic player that has added so much colour to the game.
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