Moga just happy to be playing in the NRL
DON’T call me the new “Izzy”.
That is the humble sentiment from Tautau Moga as the Broncos hulk prepares for a grand final qualifier tomorrow night against the Melbourne club that launched Israel Folau’s NRL career.
As quiet as a church mouse, Moga has been Brisbane’s silent assassin this season, overcoming the trauma of three knee reconstructions to play 26 consecutive games in the side’s surge to the preliminary final.
The comparisons with Folau, however daunting, are understandable.
At 194cm and 103kg, Moga is one centimetre taller and one kilogram heavier than Folau, the former Storm try-scoring ace now starring with the Wallabies.
But the Broncos centre blushes at anything beyond physical parallels.
Folau is a dual international who excelled in State of Origin. Moga is content just to survive one full season of NRL after four injury-plagued years that could have easily consigned him to early retirement.
“I don’t like being compared to ‘Izzy’ (Folau),” Moga said.
“He is a great player but I’d rather try and make my own way.
“I don’t like being compared to anyone else, I’m just happy to play my game and hopefully that’s good enough.
“I’m proud of the way I’ve been able to fight back from the injuries. I’m not a guy who says much ... I’m just glad to still be playing in the NRL.”
Moga’s renaissance at the Broncos attracted a more lucrative contract from the Knights and the former Samoan international admits he will leave Brisbane at season’s end with a heavy heart.
“It will be hard to move on,” he said. “But that’s footy, everyone has to pack up and move on sometimes and that’s happened for me.”