Sam Moa making the most of his shot at NRL redemption with the Sydney Roosters Sydney Roosters new recruit Sam Moa at the Sydney Football Stadium. SAM Moa thought his NRL career was over after just one game. Weighing a meaty 119kg he got his shot with the Sharks in 2008, blew it and almost gave up. Four years later he is 102kg, has 72 Super League games with Hull FC under his belt and is the latest recruit to join the Sydney Roosters revolution. The Tongan wrecking ball is now counting down the days until his shot at redemption. "I thought I was definitely done in the NRL," Moa said. I had a chance at Cronulla but didn't make the most of it. I had some ability, but that is nothing because you need to put in the hard work. At the time I wasn't willing to knuckle down and do the tough stuff. I was basically out of shape, an impact player. I was a mess. Moa went to England and set his sights on becoming good enough to return to the NRL. "When I got to the Super League I was predominantly a runner," the Tigers junior said. My game was based on running hard and trying to bust the line. I had no focus on defence and thanks to Craig Fitzgibbon and Mark O'Meley they taught me there was a lot more to the game. I have since worked on becoming more of a complete player and now a pride myself on defence more than running. Fitzgibbon, now Roosters defence coach, helped Moa, 26, land a gig at the new look Roosters. "Fitzy pushed to get me here," Moa said. The opportunity came up and I jumped at it. I am under no illusions and have been working hard. Moa is already leading by example. Expected to land a spot on the bench, the prop has been giving advice to the young Polynesian players at the club. "I am trying to lead by example where I can," Moa said. I see a couple of the guys here that were in my shoes before I left and I am helping them. Some are behind the eight ball when it comes to preparation and attention to detail when it comes to training and I am trying to show them the way. I guess I can tell them where they will end up if they don't change.