Countries fight for Fui
Article from:
By Steve Mascord
September 18, 2007 12:00am
ONCE more famous for his name than his footballing ability, Parramatta prop Fuifui Moimoi was last night at the centre of a three-way tug-of-war over his services for Test matches.
ARL chief executive Geoff Carr revealed Australian selectors asked about the eligibility of the 108kg wrecking ball when they met to add to their train-on squad yesterday.
The problem is that Moimoi has already played in World Cup qualifiers for Tonga - which in turn didn't stop New Zealand naming him in their preliminary squad for spring internationals.
"I've been following Fui's career and he's really come on as a player - he's developed some real endurance in his game," Carr said last night.
"I can confirm the Australian selectors enquired about him when they held their most recent talks.
"He can apply to the international federation to change his eligibility before the World Cup - but only once."
Moimoi went to school in New Zealand, was born in Tonga and qualifies for Australia under residency rules.
He was chosen by the Kiwis for a mid-season Test against Great Britain last year but didn't play. If he chooses the Australians or Kiwis, he could still return to the Tongan side for the World Cup should he miss out on their squads at the end of next season.
Tonga coach Jim Dymock was hoping Moimoi would be his one permitted over-age player and captain against the Junior Kangaroos in Naku'alofa on October 10.
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22435645-5006066,00.html
