He is a wrecking ball. Ben Hannant can vouch for that, just like many other forwards and backs can .Of course, the main wrecking ball in question, is Eels enforcer Fui Fui Moi Moi.
In a project that has been around for five years, ‘Project Fui’, it is gaining pace and momentum, as Fui is now fitter, faster and stronger than he has ever been, which is sure to worry opposition defences.
Moi Moi, 31, has been given a renewed hunger and passion, courtesy of new Eels coach, Stephen Kearney, who has instilled a tough regime into Fui and the other Eels players.
Moi Moi, who suffered a broken arm and recovered from it during the off-season, said that during his recovery, he realised that he had to go further than just running sprints and up hills for his pre-season training.
He points out his new look physique, having shed 6 kilos as a sign that the rigorous training is working, and making him feel fitter than ever.
“I’ve lost six or seven kilos and I feel fit for it – fit and strong,” Moimoi said.
“I can’t wait to play, but I am building up to it. I have just concentrated on getting back to full training, I am not thinking of anything else.
“It has been a tough off-season, not just for me, but for the club, too. We have done time trials and they are very hard. We all have to put in.”
The physique that Moi Moi now possesses, is courtesy of a program designed by the Eels Sports Scientist, Dr Anita Sirotic.
The program informs Moi Moi when he has to sprint, when he has to suck in oxygen to recover, when to run at three-quarter pace, and when to jog.
For Fui, he says that his major goal this season is to stay on the field for as long as possible, and to stay fit.
“I want to stay on the field longer, like [retired skipper] Nathan Cayless did,” he said.
“I want to help the younger players, help the team.”
‘He’s on a non-motorised treadmill, so you don’t press a button to start it, he generates the power,” Knowles said.
“Data has noted he hits 30km/h at full speed – that’s an enormous effort, the best of anyone in the club. He gets off the treadmill to wrestle a tackling dummy … He’s lived on the machine this season and the results are awesome.”