Sam Moa
Samuela "Sam" Moa (born 14 August 1986) is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a for the FC Lézignan XIII in the French Elite One Championship. He is both Tonga and New Zealand international. Moa has previously played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the Sydney Roosters, with whom he won the 2013 Telstra Premiership in the NRL, and Hull F.C. in the Super League. Background. Moa was born in Tonga and raised in New Zealand. Playing career. Wests Tigers. Moa started his career at NRL side Wests Tigers. Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. He then signed with  the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in 2008 and playing in one National Rugby League match. Hull FC. He was signed by Hull F.C. in January 2009 and arrived a week before the club's fixture with Huddersfield Giants which he featured off the bench in his debut. Moa is good friends with former Hull F.C. and Tonga teammate Willie Manu and former Hull F.C. and Tonga teammate Epalahame Lauaki (now at Bradford Bulls). The trio were commonly known by the Hull fans as 'The Tongan Mafia'. Sydney Roosters. Sam signed for the Sydney Roosters for the 2013 NRL season, winning the  premiership with them at the end of the season. Many observed that Moa's performance in the grand final was particularly memorable, flattening Manly's Glenn Stewart with an aggressive kick-off return in the 1st minute. Controversially, Moa was not the Churchill Medallist with this being awarded to the Sea Eagles' half-back Daly Cherry-Evans. Catalans Dragons. Moa joined the French side ahead of the 2017 Super League season. He played in the 2018 Challenge Cup Final victory over the Warrington Wolves at Wembley Stadium. On 2 December 2020 it was reported that Moa would leave the club  at the end of the 2020 season FC Lézignan XIII. On 11 December 2020 it was reported that Moa had signed for FC Lézignan XIII International career. Tonga. Moa first played for Tonga in 2006 as part of the 2008 World Cup qualifying series. Moa was subsequently picked in the 2008 World Cup squad and went on to feature in all three of Tonga's matches at the tournament. New Zealand. He declared himself eligible for selection for New Zealand at the next world cup citing his desire to be part of a world cup winning squad. Despite playing for  Tonga against Samoa in the Pacific Rugby League International in April 2013, he played for New Zealand in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.