Mo’s back in Maroon as Fotuaika brothers forge on

Murray Wenzel | June 14, 2023

They may be based on opposite sides of the planet but Fotuaika brothers Moeaki and Feao play football for the same reason and will catch up soon over the same meal.

“When we have a barbecue it’s all meat, no salad … except for maybe a potato salad,” Queensland forward Moeaki Fotuaika told AAP.

The pair lived together when ‘Mo’ was beginning his NRL career with Gold Coast and older brother Feao had cracked the Queensland Reds’ Super Rugby squad.

Feao, an Australia A representative last year, has since moved to France to play for Top 14 powerhouse Lyon.

Knocked out in the end of season quarter-finals, Feao is back in Australia but the brothers won’t catch up until after his younger sibling makes his Maroons return in Wednesday’s Origin II at Suncorp Stadium.

The death of eldest brother Mosese 10 years ago – on the cusp of an NRL debut for Wests Tigers – remains a driving force in their careers.

“We’re making ourselves proud, but also our family and older brother who passed away,” Tongan World Cup prop Moeaki Fotuaika said.

“He didn’t quite get the chance to live his dream out, so it’s good we’re living it for him.”

The 23-year-old had to cut short his Byron Bay ‘babymoon’ after taking a call from Queensland coach Billy Slater informing him he’d be playing his fifth Origin game.

The younger Fotuaika debuted in game one of the 2020 series and played all three games in 2021 when the Blues racked up big wins in Townsville and Brisbane.

He returns a better player, the softly spoken wrecking ball’s form demanding selection in the absence of the injured Tom Gilbert and Jai Arrow.

“I just want to be myself. I’m not someone that’s too loud and that kind of thing,” he said. 

“But like all things, your actions speak loudest and it takes care of itself.”

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui described his club and Maroons teammate as one of the NRL’s best props this season.

“He’s the right choice because he’s stood out and I’m glad we’ll get to run out for the Maroons together,” he said. 

That’s my right hand man right there.

“Words can’t describe it. You see his hard work behind the scenes, he’s definitely deserving of it.”