Kiwi ace a Bulls target
7:00am Thursday 14th August 2008
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By Dave Craven »
The Bulls today confirmed they are keen on bringing Kiwi wrecking machine Fuifui Moimoi to Grattan Stadium.
The cult-hero Parramatta Eels prop is on the look-out for a Super League move and Bradford are in the running.
Boss Steve McNamara said: “We’re interested in signing some more quality players.
“We’ve certainly got that already in Steve Menzies and Fuifui Moimoi would be another. We’re monitoring the situation and we are interested.”
Reports Down Under suggest the New Zealand Test star – nicknamed “Car Crash” for the damage his blockbusting runs do to opposition defences – is close to agreeing a deal with the Bulls.
However, he still has a year left on his Parramatta contract and they will only sanction his release if they find a suitable replacement.
If fearsome Moimoi, 28, does eventually sign up, he will need no introduction to current Bradford prop Sam Burgess.
The pair famously came together in a brutal match-up during Burgess’ Great Britain debut against New Zealand last autumn.
He flattened the Kiwi with one huge hit in a running battle, before Moimoi returned late on with a cruncher of his own – but they could be teaming up to form a formidable pairing in Bradford colours from 2009.
Tongan-born Moimoi has been such a hit in Sydney that he was courted by the Australian selectors on the grounds of residency.
However, he pledged his allegiance to New Zealand, debuting against the Kangaroos last October before coming on the Kiwi tour of Great Britain, and is set to be a key figure in their World Cup side later this year.
Standing at six feet tall and weighing 17 stone, Moimoi’s squat figure has proved a menace in the NRL for the last five seasons since he joined Parramatta from South Sydney.
Similar in style to Wigan’s Iafeta Paleaaesina, he would provide the Bulls with some much-needed go-forward to ease the burden on Burgess and Andy Lynch.
Moimoi could also be a perfect replacement for fellow Kiwi Joe Vagana if, as expected, the Bradford legend does retire at the end of this campaign – and with the expected capture of Leeds’ Nick Scruton, the club’s front-row will be seriously bolstered.
Also, if Moimoi needs any insight into what the Bulls are all about he need look no further than Glenn Morrison.
The Bulls vice-captain, already re-signed for 2009, is a former Parramatta team-mate who, after surgery, is currently holidaying back home in Sydney – where he has been watching Moimoi in action with the Eels and catching up with his old pal.
