Life begins at 40: Fuifui Moimoi rumbles on with Rochdale

Fuifui Moimoi turned 40 last year but he is still feeling as motivated as ever as he prepares for the 2021 season with his new club Rochdale. 

The former Tonga and New Zealand international has joined the Hornets from fellow League 1 club Workington for the upcoming campaign.

Moimoi made more than 200 appearances for Parramatta Eels in the NRL before making the move to England with Leigh, and will continue his playing career under Matt Calland at the Crown Oil Arena this year.

When asked how he keeps going, Moimoi laughed: “To be honest, I don’t know.

“I’ll see how my body gets on. All players see how their body’s feel and stuff, so I’ll go every year and see how it goes and obviously my body will tell me when I’ve had enough and then I’ll stop.

“I’ll play whenever and wherever, whatever the coach wants me to do. If he wants me come off the bench or start, I’ll do whatever is best for the team.”

Moimoi has also made more than 100 appearances in the northern hemisphere for Leigh, Toronto and Workington and will enter his 18th first-grade season in 2021 since making his debut in 2004.

Asked if he ever expected to be playing in his 40s, he replied: “No, I don’t think so.

“We didn’t play last year and yeah as I said, your body will tell you when you’ve had enough and stuff.

“I’m enjoying it. I was a bit nervous when I first started with the boys and Matt (Calland), but the last couple of weeks I’ve really been enjoying training.

“I’ve never worked with a coach who is as fit as Matt, he’s fitter than most of our players!

“I’m looking forward to the season to start. Rochdale obviously really want to go up to the Championship so obviously that’s a big challenge for me and the team. We have to work hard and get promotion for next year.”

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