The Newcastle Knights became the latest team to feel Parramatta’s late season wrath, going down 40-8 against a side that is currently being led by the most damaging frontrower in the NRL.
When Eels captain Nathan Cayless succumbed to a hamstring injury in the first half which kept him out for the remainder of the contest, the home side will have no doubt struggled to fill his workaholic void earlier this season.
But over the past month, the form of Kiwi prop Fui Fui Moi Moi has experienced an evolution that currently sees him as the NRL’s most destructive front rower.
Moi Moi, along with fullback Jarryd Hayne, has been the main reason why the Eels are on a four match winning streak that has no signs of slowing down in the last four weeks of the competition.
Although the press have rightfully labelled Hayne as Parramatta’s messiah, Moi Moi’s recent contribution to the Eels cause has been nothing short of outstanding.
From the opening minute of Sunday’s game against the Knights, every one of Moi Moi’s charges managed to severely dent a Newcastle defence that was clearly void of any confidence and belief.
Regardless of the lacklustre efforts of their opposition, Eels coach Daniel Anderson would have been delighted to witness Moi Moi play a quality sixty minutes that saw him make 14 hit-ups for 133 metres in what was a man of the match performance.
Indeed, Moi Moi was rightfully rewarded for his efforts in the second half, scoring a try under the posts, courtesy of the supreme ball playing skills of none other than team-mate Jarryd Hayne.
Two of the Eels most in-form players combined to rub salt into a massive Newcastle wound that will not heal in-time for the finals.
Parramatta’s early season woes however seem to be all stitched up, and its largely thanks to Moi Moi’s form revival.
Every time he has fired up for the Eels this season, the majority of Parramatta’s players follow with immense enthusiasm.
The recent rise in confidence of players such as Nathan Hindmarsh, James Mortimer, Eric Grothe and Krisnan Inu can all be attributed to Moi Moi’s presence upfront.
Inu in particular played his best game of the season against Newcastle, scoring a try, not to mention setting up Luke Burt’s four pointer late in the second half with a neat offload.
His several big hits in defence in the first half allowed Inu to show coach Daniel Anderson that he too has fire in a belly that had no spark whatsoever earlier this season.
But after watching Fui Fui Moi Moi’s performances over the past four weeks, Inu along with the rest of the Eels playing roster have managed to fuel a 2009 season that may just see them reach the finals and go deep into September.
Vinay Verma
Roar Guru
Good read,Alan, Moi Moi in full flight captures the athleticism and verve of League.
mushi
Roar Guru
MoiMoi is far and away the number 1 destructive prop. Accoridng to the numbers it goes MoiMoi Jesus Price/Hannant He’s the best in the game in metres per run and tackle breaks (amongst props that gain at least 100 metres per game). He gets even better when you look only at the games he starts vs interchange. He breaks as many tackles as Poore and Weymen combined (both of whom play more minutes). Conversely props like Petro aren’t actually all that destructive; they are grinders that won’t break tackles, average as many metres but will keep running all day. Poore and Weymen I think are over rated, both are very good but not top “elite” props. What helps them is no other team has two props at their level so combined they look like a juggernaught. Weymen has the potential to be an elite prop based on being a destructive ball runner, and Poore the potential to be an elite grinder but neither are there yet. My top 4 are Bailey and Petro (the grinders), Hannant (destructive and ridiculous defensive work rate) and the uber prop Price both grinder and destructive force.
PuntPal
Guest
What makes him the most 'destructive' prop in the NRL? I think he is right up there, but I also think Weyman, Poore, Price, Hannant and Petero are pretty awesome when fully fit! The key for Fui Fui is game time. If he can squeeze out 25 minutes of his best stuff (against quality opposition) then I agree he is the best prop in the game. But until then he is just one notch below these five I reckon.
Brett McKay
Expert
Alan, I'll add to what you've said there by saying that Parra have done and are doing the right thing by letting Mortimer find his first grade feet playing five-eighth rather than throwing him straight into the No.7, as they have done for every other "next P.Sterling" since the great Stu Galbraith. Having said that, I still find it bewildering that Jeff Robson remains off contract for next year. Surely it's in Parra's best interest to let these two kids develop together (they need to sign Mortimer tomorrow, otherwise Canterbury will), so that in another couple of years, after they're both played 50+ games, the Eels won't just have found their new Sterling, but perhaps another Kenny as well...
Mick from Giralang
Guest
Thanks Alan. "Second Year Syndrome" could be a good topic for an article down the track..
alan nicolea
Guest
Mick He looks a terrific prospect but Parra fans should note that he is far from being Peter Sterling's replacement. They said the same thing about Tim Smith after a terrific 2005 season yet we all know how that story panned out. The great thing about Mortimer so far is that he plays a very composed style of football and always seems to have time on his hands when in posession. His kicking game was outstanding against the Knights and has the necesssary instincts to become a real match winner in the future. The 2010 season will provide a much clearer picture as to where Mortimer is headed in his career. So far so good though.
Mick from Giralang
Guest
Alan, how is Mortimer developing in the halves?
MyGeneration
Roar Guru
You've got a couple of references for your interview at least :-)
Alan Nicolea
Guest
MyGeneration Only time will tell i guess.
MyGeneration
Roar Guru
Can we get him a job at the Terror or the Harold?
alan nicolea
Guest
Luke W - I am a mad Roosters fan can you believe it. But i am a massive fan of the NRL aswell and Moi Moi's current form at the moment is something to behold for all League supporters, let alone Eels fans. I think Mateo may make a return to the NRL in the next 2 to 3 weeks on first thought. As long as you have Hayne and Moi Moi in your fantasy side however, not much can go wrong at the moment right? Mickrad - indeed Moi Moi, Shackleton and Poore - wow what a frontrow that's gonna be. Add in the never say die attitude of Cayless and there is no reason why the Eels should dominate upfront next season. Lewie - Very good summary of all of the Eels inform players. If i had mentioned them all in the article, though, it would have be over 1000 words but no doubt a very fulfilling read for any Eels fan. Mushi - Wow, now i really wanna become a sports journo, let alone NRL one. Indeed i too respect your insights on the NRL. I have hardly written NRL articles that focus on the off field nature on the game. The spectacle on the field is really all i focus on and enjoy writing about the most. Indeed the Daily Telegraph have finally got it through their thick heads to focus on the players that deserve a mention rather than those that are surrounded in controversy. Sorry for my late reply.
Mushi
Guest
Alan I must say you deliver the most well constructed game summaries in the NRL. Whilst I do occasional disagree with some of the content and the conclusions I appreciate the effort put in and the quality of the pieces. I think the quality and objectivity is the main contributor to why you don’t get as many comments as other writers on here. Anyway you’ve done away with my need to visit other sites for NRL news, keep up the good work. As for the eels they do look good, still it’s very tough to win it from where they are. Not impossible, but very tough.
Lewie
Guest
Todd Lowrie's workrate on Sunday was a revelation. Best game he's ever played for the Mattas. Hayne appeared to have had a quiet game, and yet his stats were superb. Joel Reddy has amazed me recently. After Jennings made him look a 2nd rate defender a few weeks back, his form since, particularly his defence, has been as good as any centre's around. Mortimer continues to impress and appears so composed, and Robson appears comfortbale with his game and it's limitations, and therefore provides an excellent foil for Mortimer's paly-making role. The Kingston/Matt Keating partnership is working very well, and leaves me somewhat worried about season 2010, if, as expected, Kingston is released. Ben Smith appears to be getting back to his best, and has found a new home being the Eel's interchange back-rower.....though with Galuvao suffering an ankle injury, he may very well be called upon in to the starting side this weekend. Fingers crossed, a fully fit, and fully focused Feleti Mateo can fill the temporary void. Hindy is his usual workaholic self, but with the workload that Lowrie, Galuvao and Smith have been prepared to take upon themselves, it has allowed him more opportunity to shine in attack. I actually think Cayless' loss will be felt. He absorbs a lot of damage with his hit ups, and his defence oftens goes unnoticed. Sunday was clearly Inu's best performance of 2009, and with the impending return of Tahu in 2010, thoughts turn to wonderful images of him returning to his marvelous form of 2007. The Eels appear to be a very happy team at the moment, and the results are coming. I don;t dare to dream yet. As coach Anderson continually reminds everyone....one week at a time. I'm prepared to just live in the moment, and enjoy the ride.
Luke W
Guest
Alan, you seem to be an Eels fan, and this is quite off topic, but I have a fantasy NRL team, and I was wondering whether you knew if/when Feleti Mateo is coming back? I heard round 22, but he didn't play last week? I have been saving a trade for him for a while, thinking he will be a good acquisition right at the end of the season.
Redb
Roar Guru
Alan, This bloke has the best name in sport. Redb
Mick from Giralang
Guest
Cue the Fui Fui Moi Moi song from the Continuous Call Team...
mickrad
Roar Rookie
Very true. Fui Fui has been a revelation this season for the Eels. Add to that, he has been playing with a posterior cruciate ligament injury as well. Awesome stuff. I am looking forward to see him work with Poore and Shackleton next season. Unfortunately it will leave Cayless somewhat on the outer, but he's had a good run...