After speculation the big forward could head back to NZ to link with the Warriors, the Eels have managed to hang on to the firebrand prop – with Moimoi agreeing to stay for another two more years.
The Pirtek Parramatta Eels have re-signed the 2009 Rugby League International Federation’s prop of the year, Fuifui Moimoi, for two more seasons.
The Tongan-born 31-year-old who has played eight Tests for New Zealand is delighted that negotiations have been completed and says he wants to win a premiership with his good mates at Parramatta before his career ends. “I’m very happy to be staying with the Eels, it’s a good club and it’s good to stay with my mates,” he said. “I’d still love to get a premiership here with the club and these players and that’s part of the reason I wanted to stay an Eel. It means that hopefully I can repay the club where I started my NRL career.”
The contract, taking him to the end of 2012 season, will make Moimoi a nine-season Eel and CEO Paul Osborne, always confident of retaining Moimoi, says he expects the club still hasn’t seen the best of the physical front-rower. “Fui is one of those few players to develop a cult following with the crowds and is also very popular with his team-mates,” said Osborne. “He is a very valuable and respected part of our club and both he and the club always expected he will play out his career with the Eels where a lot of work, mostly by Fui himself, has seen him develop into a prop rated among the world’s best last year.”
Moimoi made his first grade debut in round six of 2004, celebrated his 100th first grade games in the round three clash against Wests Tigers.
Timana Tahu to play 150th NRL game
Pirtek Parramatta Eels centre Timana Tahu plays his 150th game this weekend when the Eels travel to Townsville to take on the North Queensland Cowboys this Friday night.
Tahu started his career at the Newcastle Knights and moved to the Parramatta Eels in 2005. After a two-year stint in rugby union, the 29-year-old moved back to the Eels this year and played his 50th match for the club three weeks ago. In his best game back for the club since returning to the NRL last week against the Rabbitohs, Tahu scored a try and was punishing in defence, and says he is enjoying his return to the NRL. “It was great to get a win and I’m really happy to be back at Parramatta,” he said. “To play 150 NRL games is a big achievement and I probably though I’d never get there but I’d love to celebrate with another win and keep building on our season.”
Fellow centre Joel Reddy rejoins Tahu in the side as he returns from a one-match suspension this week. Reddy moves back into the centres at the expense of Eric Grothe who joins a five-man bench, while Krisnan Inu will play on the wing.