Originally Posted by
mdrew
Hedi Moani-Kafoa.* The giant 117kg front rower played the 2017 rugby league season in Hervey Bay after moving over from Auckland New Zealand where he was part of the 2015 Otahuhu College side that won the New Schools Championship.* Hedi Moani-Kafoa’s story is a great one as the 117kg front rower was born without a right hand but that has not stopped him from chasing his NRL dream which starts in earnest next year when he lines up with the Western Mustangs U20 Colts side in what shapes to be a giant and powerful forward pack for the Toowoomba based side.
In 2017 Hedi Moani-Kafoa played in the 4bu/Hitz FM Bundaberg Rugby League A Grade competition. He started off the season with Maryborough Brothers playing in eight matches scoring against the Devils in Round One and also against Eastern Suburbs.
Hedi Moani-Kafoa then received a clearance to play the remainder of the Bundaberg Rugby League season with Hervey Bay for whom he played six matches scoring three tries and kicking two conversions for 16 points in total.* His tries came in a two week span including scoring a double and kicking his two conversions against the Devils and the following week also scoring against Bundaberg Past Brothers.
Hedi Moani-Kafoa is a big powerful young man at 117kg who whilst using his size to his advantage by running hard and straight, he does have quite decent footwork prior to the defensive line, which he uses to cut back behind the play the ball to take advantage of defenders who are slow to get back into the defensive line.* Hedi Moani-Kafoa continually put his hand up all day to take the ball up and has a very quick play the ball so that his team can maintain momentum.
In defence Hedi Moani-Kafoa uses his size and strength to make very solid initial contact and certainly can take on all opposing forwards one on one. He is not averse to looking for the big hit but does have a good front on defensive technique, maintaining decent leverage and reasonable agility and lateral movement when looking to tackle smaller opponents on the edge of the ruck, although clearly he is more effective in the centre of the ruck, as most rugby forwards are.
Hedi Moani-Kafoa’s is a great story in that he is pursuing his NRL dream regardless of the fact that he was born without a right hand.* If that is not a reason to cheer for the young man then I do not know what is.
Hedi Moani-Kafoa has taken the first steps towards to fulfilling his NRL dream after making the Western Mustangs U20 Hastings Dearings Colts side for 2018 where he will be in an intense battle for a starting spot with the squad full of Titans linked young forwards.
With his size and innate strength and power Hedi Moani-Kafoa is the ideal modern day front rower who has already shown the desire and dedication to leave no stone unturned to look to make it in the NRL. His attitude and desire is highlighted by the fact that he has lost 22kgs in the last year alone as he gets closer and closer to his dream.
The way that Hedi Moani-Kafoa handles himself on the football field reminds me of Sydney Roosters and New Zealand International enforcer Jarrod Warera-Hargraves as a big strong front rower with a skill set that belies the intimidating presence that he projects on the field, and you also add in leadership skills in the most demanding position on a football field.
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Hedi Moani-Kafoa.* The giant 117kg front rower played the 2017 rugby league season in Hervey Bay after moving over from Auckland New Zealand where he was part of the 2015 Otahuhu College side that won the New Schools Championship.* Hedi Moani-Kafoa’s story is a great one as the 117kg front rower was born without a right hand but that has not stopped him from chasing his NRL dream which starts in earnest next year when he lines up with the Western Mustangs U20 Colts side in what shapes to be a giant and powerful forward pack for the Toowoomba based side.
In 2017 Hedi Moani-Kafoa played in the 4bu/Hitz FM Bundaberg Rugby League A Grade competition. He started off the season with Maryborough Brothers playing in eight matches scoring against the Devils in Round One and also against Eastern Suburbs.
Hedi Moani-Kafoa then received a clearance to play the remainder of the Bundaberg Rugby League season with Hervey Bay for whom he played six matches scoring three tries and kicking two conversions for 16 points in total.* His tries came in a two week span including scoring a double and kicking his two conversions against the Devils and the following week also scoring against Bundaberg Past Brothers.
Hedi Moani-Kafoa is a big powerful young man at 117kg who whilst using his size to his advantage by running hard and straight, he does have quite decent footwork prior to the defensive line, which he uses to cut back behind the play the ball to take advantage of defenders who are slow to get back into the defensive line.* Hedi Moani-Kafoa continually put his hand up all day to take the ball up and has a very quick play the ball so that his team can maintain momentum.
In defence Hedi Moani-Kafoa uses his size and strength to make very solid initial contact and certainly can take on all opposing forwards one on one. He is not averse to looking for the big hit but does have a good front on defensive technique, maintaining decent leverage and reasonable agility and lateral movement when looking to tackle smaller opponents on the edge of the ruck, although clearly he is more effective in the centre of the ruck, as most rugby forwards are.
Hedi Moani-Kafoa’s is a great story in that he is pursuing his NRL dream regardless of the fact that he was born without a right hand.* If that is not a reason to cheer for the young man then I do not know what is.
Hedi Moani-Kafoa has taken the first steps towards to fulfilling his NRL dream after making the Western Mustangs U20 Hastings Dearings Colts side for 2018 where he will be in an intense battle for a starting spot with the squad full of Titans linked young forwards.
With his size and innate strength and power Hedi Moani-Kafoa is the ideal modern day front rower who has already shown the desire and dedication to leave no stone unturned to look to make it in the NRL. His attitude and desire is highlighted by the fact that he has lost 22kgs in the last year alone as he gets closer and closer to his dream.
The way that Hedi Moani-Kafoa handles himself on the football field reminds me of Sydney Roosters and New Zealand International enforcer Jarrod Warera-Hargraves as a big strong front rower with a skill set that belies the intimidating presence that he projects on the field, and you also add in leadership skills in the most demanding position on a football field.