How Super League star could not face another winter in Hull

The 30-year-old former New Zealand international, whose career took off during his four seasons with the Black and Whites from 2009-12, moved to Catalans Dragons in the close season and makes his second appearance for them against his old club at the KCOM Stadium on Thursday.

Moa won a premiership with the Sydney Roosters during his three-year stint in the NRL and admits it was a big decision to leave Sydney and take up the offer of a two-year deal with the Dragons.

“It was probably the hardest decision I’ve had to make, career-wise,” he said. “We were settled in Sydney and my wife had a good job.

“But I’m absolutely loving it. You don’t realise what a beautiful part of the world it is until you actually come here and see it for yourself.

“Hull in the summer is really good, I just didn’t think I could get through another winter in England. It’s meant to be winter here in Perpignan, but it’s about 19 or 20 degrees outside and I’ve just got back from the beach with my wife and 10-month-old daughter. It’s rather pleasant.”

The strong-running Moa became a crowd favourite at the KCOM Stadium, where he made 73 Super League appearances, and he admits he owes a debt of gratitude to Hull for helping him get his career up and running.

“It was only meant to be a one-year thing,” he said. “I just thought if I get some Super League games under my belt it would help when I got back home.

“But it turned into four. Before I went to Hull I was always on the fringes and I needed to play regular top-class rugby. It gave me the platform to play regular Super League games and launched my career.

“I’ve got quite a few good mates there. I still talk to Danny Houghton and Radders (coach Lee Radford) every now and then and I’m pretty close with Fetuli Talanoa, Mahe Fonua and Sika Manu, there’s a lot of familiar faces in the FC side.”

Moa retains a soft spot for his old club and was delighted to see them achieve their ambition of winning at Wembley in 2016, but he is not sure about the reception he will get when he runs out in Catalans colours on Thursday.

“I’ve got a different jersey on so I’m not expecting any favours,” he said. “I know how hostile it can be to the opposition teams, that’s part of footy.

“If they boo me during the game, they can shake my hand and clap me afterwards.”

Both teams will go into the game hoping to build on hard-fought opening-round victories. Hull clawed their way past Wakefield ,while the Dragons pulled off a surprise victory over last season’s runners-up Warrington.

“We’ve been given a really tough draw,” Moa said. “I think it’s the best way to start the year.

“We had a pretty good win against Warrington, but we’re past that now and it’s all about being consistent. It will be Hull’s first home game and they always tend to play really well, so we’re preparing for a really tough match.

“They’re a strong side and it’s going to be a fiery encounter, but we’ve had a good 10 days’ preparation.”