In the current day and age of rugby league, training and conditioning allows players to potentially play for longer, if their body feels up to it – and for Eels prop Fuifui Moimoi, he has plans to do just that.
Despite playing in the position that is perhaps the most physically demanding in the NRL at prop, a position in which players fling themselves at opponents to make the crucial metres – Fui says that he is keen for a 2013 deal, at the Parramatta Eels.
“I can see myself playing another four years. Look at Petero. How old is he?” Moimoi asked.
“He’s still going good. I want to stay at this club. They’ve signed some good young front-rowers, and they’ve signed that front-rower from Manly (Darcy Lussick), so I’ll see what ‘Mooks’ (coach Stephen Kearney) wants.
“I’d love to stay here and be a one-club player. They’re a good club and looked after me since I’ve been here. It’s up to them if they want me. If not, I’ll have to find somewhere else.”
With Moimoi one of several team-mates urged to lift in his performances for last week’s game, following the video session the Eels had, the man who is regarded as a cult hero at the club, responded with flying colours.
“I thought he played well on the weekend, the boys had a chat to him and told him he needed to step up, and he did,” centre Willie Tonga said.
“I know he definitely wants to keep playing.
“Before I got to Parra, I didn’t know how old he was.
“I thought that he was only 28 or 29. But he showed us against Penrith what he is capable of.”
Even Stephen Kearney has been impressed with Fui, who was awarded the Players Player Award last year.
“He’s not past it, and he keeps telling me he’s 25,” Kearney said.