Moga says no to ‘Izzy’ similarity

DON’T call me the new “Izzy”.

That is the humble sentiment from Tautau Moga as the Bronco prepares for an NRL preliminary final 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 their surge to the preliminary final.

Experts’ comparisons with Folau are understandable.

At 194cm and 103kg, Moga is 1cm taller and 1kg heavier than Folau, the former Storm try-scoring ace now starring with the Wallabies.

However the Broncos centre blushes at anything beyond physical parallels.

Folau is a dual international who excelled in Origin.

Moga is content just to survive a full season of NRL footy after four injury plagued years that could have easily consigned him to early retirement.

“I don’t like being compared to Izzy,” 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.”