In depth: Fuifui Moimoi's career so far

Fuifui Moimoi’s career path has been somewhat unconventional. He is a 201 game NRL veteran and has been plying his trade in Workington since 2018, having seemingly done it all in the game. NRL Grand Finals, international tests and a World Cup. You might assume he’s achieved everything he set out to, but with the Tonga born firebrand set to play into his 40’s, he isn’t finished yet.

The former Parramatta Eels prop recently linked up with Rochdale Hornets following his departure from League One rivals, Workington Town – he will turn 41 before his deal runs out.

Fui’s career has followed an odd path. After departing the western Sydney club, the Tonga and New Zealand international found himself in Leigh as part of Derek Beaumont’s radical plan for a Centurion rise.

Since then he has globetrotted to Toronto and Workington.

The cult figure left the Workington club after the 2020 season was drawn to a premature close. He was then lured to Spotland by Andy Mazey and Matt Calland with the pair putting their heads together again to clutch a rugby league icon.

In a week where the greatest to ever do it, Cameron Smith, has been urged to retire at 37, with age being cited as the main factor, Moimoi’s 303 appearances in the middle of the field would leave most open mouthed.

He turned 40 in September so one would assume Workington may well have been his last hurrah, capping a fine career. However, in a sport that seems to fill its pants when a player ticks over 30, the thought of Fui playing on into his 40’s is staggering.

Born in the Tongan capital, Nuku’alofa, Moimoi’s rise wasn’t straight forward. He didn’t play first-first grade until he was 24 having originally been spotted by former St. Helens and Kiwi coach Daniel Anderson while playing local league footy in Auckland. Anderson would then put him in touch with South Sydney Rabbitohs.

From there, he got his shot with the Bunnies on a trial basis but Moimoi had an infamous bust up with head coach, Paul Langmack, over a lack of game time. He left the training paddock 10 minutes into a session. When asked why by Langmack, Fui responded “Fuifui plays 10 minutes, Fuifui trains 10 minutes”. Shortly after he was punted from the Redfern club.

He would be picked up by NRL rivals, Parramatta Eels where he would make his first-grade debut in 2004, round six at Brookvale Oval against Manly Sea Eagles.

While at the Eels, Fui played in four finals series, including a minor Premiership in 2004, and a Grand Final appearance in 2009.

In fact, 2009 would be Fui’s standout year. He played 28 times scoring six tries including one in the final against Melbourne Storm. Ironically with the man who helped kickstart his NRL career, Daniel Anderson, in the coach’s box.

The Eels did it tough that year, reaching the big dance from eighth place – almost unheard of. On the ladder, they edged rivals Wests Tigers by just one point to make the eight – the Tigers once again locking in 9^th place.

On their route to the Grand Final they saw off St George Illawarra Dragons, Gold Coast Titans and Canterbury Bulldogs to set up a meeting with Melbourne Storm and the terrifying prospect of Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Greg Inglis.

Melbourne were too good on the night and Moimoi’s 72^nd minute try wasn’t enough to secure the Provan-Summons Trophy. However, two sets of Melbourne Storm accounts and a Greg Inglis speedboat later, the Storm were embroiled in a salary cap scandal for the ages.

In a cruel twist of fate for Fuifui and the Eels, their 2007 and 2009 Premierships were stripped.

The Eels failed to reach those heights again. They collected two wooden spoons in 2012 and 2013 before finishing 10^th in 2014, Fuifui’s final season. He was informed by coach, Brad Arthur, his services would not be required in 2015 following a rocky relationship between the pair.

Moimoi represented both Tonga and New Zealand and controversially missed out on the 2008 Kiwi World Cup squad – they would go on to win the tournament.

However, he would get his World Cup chance with Tonga in 2013, but in a squad that contained the likes of Jason Taumololo and Konrad Hurrell they had a disappointing campaign and failed to qualify from their group.

Fuifui would head to Leigh in 2015 in a move which was a statement of intent for the Centurions – they would top the division, but fall short of Super League. However, they managed to reach the promised land the following year, before Fui headed to Toronto Wolfpack with Paul Rowley.

Moimoi would join a swathe of big-name talent in Toronto with the likes of Dave ‘Coal Train’ Taylor, Darcy Lussick and Ashton Sims making the North American switch. Fuifui enjoyed a decent 2017, the Wolfpack’s maiden campaign. They topped League One and were promoted before he made the move to Workington in 2018 and after two years with Town he’s called it quits to move to Rochdale. 

Twelve years after lining up alongside Jarryd Hayne, Nathan Hindmarsh and Nathan Cayless at ANZ Stadium for the Grand Final, he will line-up alongside Sam Freeman, Gavin Bennion and Sean Penkywicz at Spotland as Hornets eye their return to the Championship.