Moimoi commits to Eels

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 the 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, and celebrated his 100th first grade game in the round three clash against Wests Tigers.