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Eels face props crisis
By Josh Massoud
August 1, 2006
PARRAMATTA players last night fronted the grim reality of finishing another year without front-row dynamo Fuifui Moimoi because of suspension.
As Manly contemplated losing strike prop Brent Kite until deep into the finals, the incident which claimed the Sea Eagles prop has thrown a bigger spanner into the Eels' engine room.
With a devastated Moimoi now facing consecutive season-ending suspensions, Parramatta must continue its spirited finals charge with an almost bare front-rowers' union.
Moimoi is poised to join injured Eels props Aaron Cannings, Michael Vella, Adam Peek and Justin Tsoulos on the unavailable list after being charged with a grade three reckless high tackle yesterday.
While not arguing with the NRL match review committee, Eels captain Nathan Cayless, the club's last standing NRL prop, could not hide his disappointment.
"We are running out of front rowers to be honest," Cayless said.
"Fui's been outstanding for us, he's really built up his stamina.
"Obviously someone else will have to step up."
Back-row star Nathan Hindmarsh, who was deputising as skipper when Moimoi was marched for striking Kite, did not want to buy into the committee's ruling.
But he did suggest it was not clear from close quarters whether Kite actually sustained the most savage impact during Moimoi's tackle.
"I was there but I'm not sure whether (Kite) hit his head on the ground or whether Fui hit him around the head," Hindmarsh said.
"I don't really want to say too much more about it.
"(Fui's) been doing a lot of work because of his previous record.
"He was a bit tired, but there's no excuses.
"Players don't go out there to do things like that on purpose. It's just one of those things that happens."
Moimoi, 26, has been inconsolable since Saturday night's sending-off.
The 108kg juggernaut missed the 2005 finals after being suspended for nine weeks for a high shot on Brisbane rookie Berrick Barnes in round 26 last year.
Since returning this year, Moimoi's fearsome hit-ups and terrorising defence have almost single-handedly negated the Eels' front-row crisis.
"We will miss him a lot. He's improved so much every week," Hindmarsh said.
"When he first came to the club he was not much of a trainer, but he's turned it around and earned a spot in the starting front row.
"He's got a few players' player votes for the last couple of weeks. The supporters will miss him too. They know how hard he charges the ball up.
"We (would love to have him) not just for the team but for himself as well."
Now resigned to missing the finals again, a shame-ridden Moimoi has avoided teammates.
"Fui is very disappointed. He was not keen on coming to the after match presentation. He was very regretful about it," Hindmarsh said.
"I tried to ring him but his phone was switched off."
The Daily Telegraph
http://foxsports.news.com.au/print/0,8668,19976605-23214,00.html
By Josh Massoud
August 1, 2006
PARRAMATTA players last night fronted the grim reality of finishing another year without front-row dynamo Fuifui Moimoi because of suspension.
As Manly contemplated losing strike prop Brent Kite until deep into the finals, the incident which claimed the Sea Eagles prop has thrown a bigger spanner into the Eels' engine room.
With a devastated Moimoi now facing consecutive season-ending suspensions, Parramatta must continue its spirited finals charge with an almost bare front-rowers' union.
Moimoi is poised to join injured Eels props Aaron Cannings, Michael Vella, Adam Peek and Justin Tsoulos on the unavailable list after being charged with a grade three reckless high tackle yesterday.
While not arguing with the NRL match review committee, Eels captain Nathan Cayless, the club's last standing NRL prop, could not hide his disappointment.
"We are running out of front rowers to be honest," Cayless said.
"Fui's been outstanding for us, he's really built up his stamina.
"Obviously someone else will have to step up."
Back-row star Nathan Hindmarsh, who was deputising as skipper when Moimoi was marched for striking Kite, did not want to buy into the committee's ruling.
But he did suggest it was not clear from close quarters whether Kite actually sustained the most savage impact during Moimoi's tackle.
"I was there but I'm not sure whether (Kite) hit his head on the ground or whether Fui hit him around the head," Hindmarsh said.
"I don't really want to say too much more about it.
"(Fui's) been doing a lot of work because of his previous record.
"He was a bit tired, but there's no excuses.
"Players don't go out there to do things like that on purpose. It's just one of those things that happens."
Moimoi, 26, has been inconsolable since Saturday night's sending-off.
The 108kg juggernaut missed the 2005 finals after being suspended for nine weeks for a high shot on Brisbane rookie Berrick Barnes in round 26 last year.
Since returning this year, Moimoi's fearsome hit-ups and terrorising defence have almost single-handedly negated the Eels' front-row crisis.
"We will miss him a lot. He's improved so much every week," Hindmarsh said.
"When he first came to the club he was not much of a trainer, but he's turned it around and earned a spot in the starting front row.
"He's got a few players' player votes for the last couple of weeks. The supporters will miss him too. They know how hard he charges the ball up.
"We (would love to have him) not just for the team but for himself as well."
Now resigned to missing the finals again, a shame-ridden Moimoi has avoided teammates.
"Fui is very disappointed. He was not keen on coming to the after match presentation. He was very regretful about it," Hindmarsh said.
"I tried to ring him but his phone was switched off."
The Daily Telegraph
http://foxsports.news.com.au/print/0,8668,19976605-23214,00.html
