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Parramatta cult hero Fuifui Moimoi expects Ricky Stuart to stay at the NRL club though the Eels coach has refused to end speculation he will move to Canberra.
Parramatta’s longest serving player, 33 year-old forward Moimoi was a pivotal figure in their come-from-behind 26-22 win over St George Illawarra on Monday night.
He scored two first half tries, the first double of a career that started in 2004 and has spanned 188 games since his Eels debut in 2004.
Stuart, who is in his first year as Parramatta coach, has been linked to the Canberra coaching position since David Furner’s recent sacking.
While the Raiders CEO Don Furner said on Saturday Stuart wasn’t on their shortlist, rumours persist about the three-time Raiders premiership player heading back to the national capital.
Stuart said after Monday’s game he didn’t want any more speculation about his future, but almost inevitably ensured it will continue, after declaring he won’t talk about the issue until the end of the season.
Parramatta have won just five games and will finish with the wooden spoon for a second straight season, but Moimoi insists Stuart is doing a good job and expects him to fulfil his contract.
“He wants to help this club, to build this club,” Moimoi told AAP.
“He’s doing a good job for the club and he still has another two years on his contract with the club, so we are look forward to next season with ‘Sticky’ (Stuart).”
Moimoi is upbeat about his ailing club’s future, basing his optimism on the clutch of emerging youngsters who are showing signs of promise.
“All the young boys coming up like Peni Terepo and Junior Paulo, they are good for the future,” Moimoi said.
“I look forward to them coming up in the next couple of years.”
Against the Dragons, Moimoi scored arguably the best and surely the most memorable try of his career.
Doing his best impersonation of an Israel Folau or Daniel Tupou, Moimioi leapt high to catch a bomb from halfback Luke Kell .and shrugged off his opponents to ground the ball.
“I was really lucky to get there at the right time and the ball was there too,” Moimoi said.
“I think that kick was supposed to be for the wing and the centres.”
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