It's a matchup that would require Paramedics on standby and the earthquake alarm sounded across the ditch. Bob "The Bear" O'Reilly Vs "The Tongan Wrecking Ball" Fuifui Moimoi. They are 2 of the hardest hitting and hardest running forwards the game has ever seen. But who would win in this fanciful matchup?
The Bear made his name in the 70's as a hard hitting front rower who was as tough as nails and is regarded as the best prop forward to wear the blue and gold. Fuifui debuted in the NRL relatively late when compared with many of his teammates. Coming from Tongan Rugby Union via Souths Fui was overweight and hardly an impressive athlete. But. through hard work and determination he forged a reputation as a feared ball runner.
Bob "The Bear" O'Reilly:
Debuted in 1967 at the age of 18. He quickly forged a reputation as a hard hitter and was rewarded with a spot in the Australian team for the 1970 World Cup. However, his career declined with Penrith before he was resurrected at Easts. He was a bruising ball runner who could equally punish you in defence. He considered retirement in 1980 until super coach Jack Gibson came calling. He returned to Parramatta and led the team to the 1981 Premiership. In 1982 he retired due to a chronic ankle injury but by then he'd already assumed legend status.
"The Tongan Wrecking Ball" Fuifui Moimoi:
He was an overweight centre in Tongan Rugby Union before being signed by the South Sydney Rabbitohs. He joined Parramatta in 2004 and then Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Hayden Knowles challenged him to become as fit as he could be. Making his debut in 2004 he didn't have much of an impact, only being able to play in 10-15 min bursts. In 2005 he forged a reputation as a lead enforcer when taking the ball up. Weighing 115kg and running at 32km/h makes it very hard for a defence to get on top of him. A sports scientist tested him in 2009 and found that Fui hitting the line at full pace was like dropping a 22kg bag of cement from a 20m tall building and trying to catch it. To this day it is a truly fearsome site when the "Steam Train" hits the defence at full pace.
The game has changed a lot since "The Bear" led the charge at Parramatta but there's no doubting his impact at Parramatta. His height probably gives him and advantage over Fui as he is able to get his arms free and offload. However, Fui's low height and low centre of gravity means he's harder to "turtle". A collision between these two fearsome competitors would result in an explosion of some sort. Personally, I'd have to go for Fui in this battle. His pace on the ball and size would mean O'Reilly will have his work cut out for him in trying to stop Fui. O'Reilly's height may mean he can get the ball away, but that's if he isn't leveled by a charging Fui shoulder charge.
Replies
Why put them opposing each other - put em in the same team.
Unfortunately SE22 you are putting up comparisons that are not on a level playing field.
It is much like putting up Andrew Gaze against Chris Sandow imo
Your example of a comparison is warped. For starters, both Fui and O'Reilly played in the same position and at the same club. The only difference is their skill sets.
Hehe - if you guys haven't noticed - there are TWO props in the pack.
If you wanted real comparisons SE22 then put Fui up against Warirah-Heargreaves (spelling?) or even Shane Webke.
The Bear could be compared with Dick Thornett (at a stretch) or similar.
My Gaze/Sandow comparative is based on the fact that the Bear would be at least 30 PLUS cms taller than Fui - played a different style in a different game.
I do not care about semantics - it is all but impossible to give DIRECT comparisons of players from eras so far apart.
The same as the joke blog comparing Hayne to Thornett.
The Bear could take a load of punishment !
The Bear could GIVE a lot of punishment LOL
id take Fui in his prime a few years ago for the raw power he showed rather that Bob in his prime, although he was a great player, but yes they were two very different players.