RUGBY league players like to spend their money in different ways.
Some like fast cars. Some enjoy a punt on the horses.
Others can drop $500 on a big night out. Fuifui Moimoi sends $3000 a month back to Tonga just so his family can survive.
In the build-up to his 99th first-grade game against Manly at Parramatta Stadium today, Moimoi has told of his single wish for 2010 - that his mother be in Sydney next week for his century.
Despite last year's salary-cap furore over the airfare for Moimoi's mother and son Sani's surprise visit in August, the popular Eels prop told how his passion for rugby league was buoyed by the opportunity to provide for his extended family.
"I want to try to get mum out for the game next Friday," Moimoi said. "I will speak to Spags (Parramatta chairman Roy Spagnolo) about it because they really enjoyed the time here when they last came.
"But also they make me comfortable when I'm playing and that I know everyone is going to be on the sideline supporting me. It lifts me."
Moimoi is largely misunderstood. In person, he is more teddy bear than T-Rex. And not only is his English always improving, but when he starts talking he's actually difficult to stop.
He tells stories with a wink and a smile. Like the time he cheekily hid Danny Green's shoes, only to admit he was too frightened of the world champion boxer to admit that he was behind the prank.
"Man, I was scared," Moimoi said.
But above all, Moimoi is a man fighting for his family. He once pocketed leftover fruit and sandwiches from the Parramatta gym to take home for his two children.
And so when Eels supporters begin the famous "FOO-EY" chant this afternoon, they should remember just how Moimoi got here. And how the support of his family stopped him from quitting. Asked what is his motivation, the Eels prop replied: "My family back home. They struggle a little bit and I help them a lot. "Every time I play football, I play good footy to get some more money for my family and kids.
"It depends what they need. I just finished building a house for my mum ... that's for my mum.
"I probably spend $2500 to $3000 a month for them. Where I gew up back home they have a hard life. It's tough.
"So I always help them out."
Moimoi has gone from the subject of radio jingles to one of the most damaging props in the game.
And although today marks his 99th NRL appearance, Moimoi's grin widened when asked to consider how long he has left in the game.
"My body is feeling great," Moimoi said. "Hopefully I can play for another three, four years.
"When I first came I was 118kg and I wouldn't last five minutes with fitness.
"But I sat down with (Parramatta conditioner) Hayden (Knowles), who made a few calls on what I needed to do. My family and Hayden pushed me through. I nearly had enough of footy and wanted to move back home."
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