Eels prop Moimoi is not a thug: Taylor

Parramatta coach Jason Taylor has leapt to the defence of Eels forward Fuifui Moimoi, saying the suspended prop had been unfairly branded a thug by people who don't know him. Moimoi pleaded guilty to a grade three reckless high tackle charge and was suspended for seven weeks by the judiciary due to his poor NRL disciplinary record.

Moimoi was sent off in the Eels' win over Manly last Saturday night for his sickening high tackle on Sea Eagles prop Brent Kite.

Earlier this year the 26-year-old New Zealander was cleared by the NRL Judiciary of a biting allegation made by Melbourne prop Brett White.

Moimoi's season ended prematurely in 2005 with a nine-week suspension for a grade two reckless high tackle and he also copped a six-match ban earlier in the year.
But Taylor said Moimoi's on-field aggression combined with his media-shy personality meant he had earned an unfair tag.

"I really feel for him," said Taylor.

"The general public don't know what he is really like as a person because he is shy and does not like to talk in the media and that is why he has probably been branded a thug.

"He has practised so hard on his tackling to try to avoid that (suspension) happening again and he has done well for most of the season.

"He has been a big part of our team ... it is really disappointing for him.

"I would be happy to have him on any team I coach anytime."

Taylor added Moimoi often missed Sunday's team recovery sessions to attend church and was heavily involved in the club's community activities.

However, the club agreed with the NRL's grading of the tackle and took the early plea option as the possible 10-game ban if he unsuccessfully fought the charge would have ended his season regardless of the Eels making the finals.

Now the prop is available if the Eels survive until the penultimate weekend of the finals.

"At the moment he has got a bit of sniff of playing again this year," said Taylor.

"It's a long shot, don't think I'm saying that it's a big chance but it gives him some hope.

"If we fought and he was found guilty then it would have been 10 games and that would mean his season is completely over.

"We probably thought the grading was pretty fair too.

"It was four weeks plus his history.

"It was the loading on it which in the end we decided was probably fair enough."

New Zealand Warriors prop Ruben Wiki also entered an early guilty plea for his careless high tackle charge. Wiki will miss just the one match.

Sydney Roosters winger Amos Roberts pleaded not guilty to a grade one dangerous throw charge and will front the NRL judiciary on Wednesday night.

Roberts' not guilty plea means he has forfeited a one-week suspension and will instead be banned for two weeks if the judiciary finds him guilty.