League: The best is yet to come for Moimoi

Fuifui Moimoi says it's good to be back in the Kiwis side. Photo / Getty Images

Fuifui Moimoi didn't exactly cover himself in glory the last time he pulled on a Kiwis jersey. Or the first time. Or in any of the three matches in between.

The fact that his five previous caps were in 2007 under the disastrous direction of Gary Kemble didn't exactly help.

A team that won the 2005 Tri Nations and dipped out on a repeat in golden point extra time against the Kangaroos the following year under Brian McClennan utterly disintegrated under Kemble. Moimoi's debut coincided with the 58-0 drubbing at the hands of the Kangaroos in the Centenary test in Wellington - the worst Kiwis' performance in living memory.

An unlucky coincidence, sure, but Moimoi was more than just a victim of bad timing. Capable of tremendous bursts that could skittle tacklers like bowling pins, the dynamic Tongan was just as likely to be seen standing with his hands on his hips sucking in the big ones.

His poor work-rate and sub-standard fitness was matched by a less-than-stellar attitude on the equally unsuccessful tour of England that followed.

Stories of Moimoi's misdemeanours are legendary. Frustrated with receiving minimal game time after joining Souths in 2003, he famously responded by walking off the training oval just after the warm-up.

"I play 10 minutes, I train 10 minutes," Moimoi told furious coach Paul Langmack.

He eventually found his feet at Parramatta, becoming a cult hero in the mould of former Eels and Warriors pinch hitter Mark Tookey.

That was enough to get him into Kemble's Kiwis, but he was far from a finished product, and certainly not ready for the starting propping role he was handed.

Two years later, at the less-than-tender age of 30, Moimoi is finally delivering on his massive potential. He was a central figure in the Eels' remarkable run to the NRL grand final, where he scored an equally remarkable try, and would have been one of the first names inked by the Kiwis' selectors for their Four Nations squad.

"He is so devastating when he carries the ball so it would be silly to leave him out," coach Stephen Kearney said.

So silly, in fact, that Kearney never even considered doing so despite Moimoi's baggage.

"It doesn't bother me," Kearney said. "There is no point in picking a guy on what he has done two years ago. I'll pick him on what he did last week. That's why Fui's part of the group.

"Fui is really a late-starter in the game. He is 30 years old but he has really only come to prominence in the last year or so. But now he recognises what he's capable of, how effective he can be, and once you put the football ability on top of it, he is a really dangerous proposition."

Moimoi isn't much of a talker and English is not his first language. But he said becoming older and wiser was the key to his transformation from a five-minute wonder into genuine, top-flight starting prop.

"I just really worked on my fitness and it has started paying off," he said.

Few would argue with that. Moimoi looms as a key figure for the Kiwis in the Four Nations. His ability to buckle the defensive line will be crucial to their chances putting the classy Kangaroos on the back foot, and breaking the resolve of an England side that is sure to be stiffened by playing on home soil.

Despite his advancing age, Moimoi's best years are still ahead of him.

And he certainly isn't looking back.

"I dunno mate, it's good to be back in the Kiwis," he says when asked of his memories of 2007.

"I wanted to get back and wear that black-and-white jersey again. We've got new, young players in the team and a good coach and stuff, so I can't wait for the games."

It's doubtful whether the Australian and English players charged with stopping him are looking forward to their task with quite the same degree of enthusiasm.

FUIFUI MOIMOI

Age: 30
Height: 183cm
Weight: 108kg
Position: Prop
Junior Club: Mt Albert
Tests: 5
Test Debut: v Australia, 2007
NRL Games: 97 (2004-09)