Settled Moa relishing Hull return
Catalans forward Sam Moa is enjoying life in Perpignan, and is looking forward to facing Hull FC on Thursday at the KCOM.
Moa was a key man at Hull from 2009 until 2012, when his performances in Super League earned him a deal back in the NRL with Sydney Roosters.
After nearly 100 games for the Roosters, the Tongan-born former New Zealand international is feeling settled in the South of France.
“So far, it’s just been a pleasure to be here,” he said.
“It was probably the hardest decision I’ve had to make careerwise.
“Obviously, we were settled there in Sydney.
“So far we’ve been able to travel to Italy and Switzerland.
“Today, it’s meant to be winter, and it’s about 19 or 20 degrees, and I just got back from the beach with my wife and boys, so it’s great.”
Moa enjoyed his spell with Hull, and, despite not missing the cold weather of a UK winter, does stay in touch with several of the players in coach Lee Radford’s squad.
He is expecting a typically passionate FC crowd, when he tangles with some old friends later this week.
“The KCOM, in my opinion, is a world-class stadium,” he said.
“It’ll be different going back there with another team now. It was always a great place to play.
“I’m sure it’s going to be a fiery encounter. I’m really looking forward to it.
“I still talk to Danny Houghton, Danny Washbrook and Radders sometimes. I’m friends with Fetuli Talanoa, Mahe Fonua and Sika Manu, so there’s a lot of familiar faces in their side.”
Having played in both Super League and the NRL, Moa believes that the southern hemisphere sides benefit from having a larger pot of cash available to them.
This means that they can afford large squads filled with high quality players, something which Super League sides currently struggle to match.
“I watched Sunday’s game with a few of the boys,” he said.
“The difference between the Super League and the NRL is the depth of the squads.
“They have a bigger salary cap [in the NRL] and plenty of depth in their squads.
“Hopefully the Super League can increase their salary cap, and have that depth.”