Maroons great names captain Cherry-Evans' heir apparent
State of Origin master coach Paul Vautin has pinpointed Tino Fa'asuamaleaui as the missing piece from last year's Queensland defeat, predicting the 2025 campaign will announce him as the Maroons' long-term leader.
Speaking as he unveiled 'Fatty Says' – an app that will enable users to hear his AI-generated commentary of the series – Vautin declared the Titans' skipper was the front-runner to succeed Maroons captain Daly Cherry-Evans.
After suffering a ruptured ACL, Fa'asuamaleaui was forced to watch Queensland's 2024 series defeat from the sidelines, as well as his Gold Coast club's third-straight bottom-four finish.
But when asked if the 25-year-old's absence was central to the Maroons' downfall, Vautin offered an emphatic 'yes'.
'I watch every game, and Tino is the best forward I've seen in 20 years,' Vautin told this masthead.
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'He's all action; he wants to get involved in nearly every play: he runs hard, he's effective at the line – he normally gets halfway through the line every time he runs – and he's got a great offload.
'The other thing is, his defence is outstanding, he's a great tackler, and he chases from marker. No one chases from marker these days. I reckon I made half of my tackles in my career chasing from marker, it's the best place to defend from.
'He gets it, and he chases, and he smashes them. He's a wonderful leader, so I think he's the best forward in the game, and we missed him a lot last year.
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The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Slater sledges inspired Maroons to do it for Billy
Cameron Munster has revealed how public criticism of Billy Slater galvanised Queensland, admitting he was hurt by jabs at his coach in the lead up to State of Origin II. Slater's rollercoaster 42nd birthday ended with a 26-24 win on Wednesday night, 12 hours after he issued a public apology for a comment regarding the late Paul Green. The win has set up a decider in Sydney on July 9, with life breathed back into a series that appeared destined to be won by NSW after their dominant game one. Slater has come under fire from all quarters in the past three weeks, over questions about selections following Daly Cherry-Evans' axing, the team's performance and his future in the job. He was also labelled a "grub" by former NSW forward Aaron Woods, prompting his controversial response on Tuesday at an outdoor press conference in Perth's CBD. The criticism was also enough to spur on the Maroons, with Munster revealing how players wanted to stand up and play for the former Queensland fullback. "When you have someone jabbing at him like that, it really hurts. It hurts me personally," Munster said. "And when someone's having a jab at someone in your own backyard, you stand up on your back and want to get up and fight. "We needed to do that tonight. We were backs against the wall, no-one gave us a chance. "I love him, and I just want to do the best thing for Queensland, and the best thing for him, because he's not doing this for him, he's doing it for Queensland." Munster himself was brilliant in the Maroons' win, scoring a try and named man of the match after starring in Queensland's 26-6 first-half. But the new Queensland captain is well aware the Maroons must be much better in Sydney, after letting NSW back into the game after the break and ending with four tries to their five. Regardless, Munster said the criticism of Slater for the Maroons' performance in their 18-6 series-opening loss was unwarranted. "He's our coach, and he's done everything he can to tick the boxes for us, and we didn't perform for him in game one," Munster said. "He got a lot of slack for it, and a lot of stuff in the media, and he didn't deserve it. "He's given us a great game plan, and we didn't execute in game one, and we did it tonight in the first half. "I played with Bill, he's a champion player and champion coach, and I've had a great relationship with him, and still do." Munster also revealed the Maroons had invoked the spirit of 1995 in the lead up to the game, with the 30-year anniversary of Paul Vautin's unlikely 3-0 series win during the Super League war. The Queensland No.6 referenced the 1995 series on field after the game, before again raising it in the press conference. "We keep talking about it," Munster said. "They won by two points in a couple of those games in the series, and we won by two tonight. It was that '95 mentality in defence. "We've just got to keep working hard for each other. It's going to be a harder task going to Sydney, and we've got to be ready for it. "We can't afford to be ambushed." Cameron Munster has revealed how public criticism of Billy Slater galvanised Queensland, admitting he was hurt by jabs at his coach in the lead up to State of Origin II. Slater's rollercoaster 42nd birthday ended with a 26-24 win on Wednesday night, 12 hours after he issued a public apology for a comment regarding the late Paul Green. The win has set up a decider in Sydney on July 9, with life breathed back into a series that appeared destined to be won by NSW after their dominant game one. Slater has come under fire from all quarters in the past three weeks, over questions about selections following Daly Cherry-Evans' axing, the team's performance and his future in the job. He was also labelled a "grub" by former NSW forward Aaron Woods, prompting his controversial response on Tuesday at an outdoor press conference in Perth's CBD. The criticism was also enough to spur on the Maroons, with Munster revealing how players wanted to stand up and play for the former Queensland fullback. "When you have someone jabbing at him like that, it really hurts. It hurts me personally," Munster said. "And when someone's having a jab at someone in your own backyard, you stand up on your back and want to get up and fight. "We needed to do that tonight. We were backs against the wall, no-one gave us a chance. "I love him, and I just want to do the best thing for Queensland, and the best thing for him, because he's not doing this for him, he's doing it for Queensland." Munster himself was brilliant in the Maroons' win, scoring a try and named man of the match after starring in Queensland's 26-6 first-half. But the new Queensland captain is well aware the Maroons must be much better in Sydney, after letting NSW back into the game after the break and ending with four tries to their five. Regardless, Munster said the criticism of Slater for the Maroons' performance in their 18-6 series-opening loss was unwarranted. "He's our coach, and he's done everything he can to tick the boxes for us, and we didn't perform for him in game one," Munster said. "He got a lot of slack for it, and a lot of stuff in the media, and he didn't deserve it. "He's given us a great game plan, and we didn't execute in game one, and we did it tonight in the first half. "I played with Bill, he's a champion player and champion coach, and I've had a great relationship with him, and still do." Munster also revealed the Maroons had invoked the spirit of 1995 in the lead up to the game, with the 30-year anniversary of Paul Vautin's unlikely 3-0 series win during the Super League war. The Queensland No.6 referenced the 1995 series on field after the game, before again raising it in the press conference. "We keep talking about it," Munster said. "They won by two points in a couple of those games in the series, and we won by two tonight. It was that '95 mentality in defence. "We've just got to keep working hard for each other. It's going to be a harder task going to Sydney, and we've got to be ready for it. "We can't afford to be ambushed." Cameron Munster has revealed how public criticism of Billy Slater galvanised Queensland, admitting he was hurt by jabs at his coach in the lead up to State of Origin II. Slater's rollercoaster 42nd birthday ended with a 26-24 win on Wednesday night, 12 hours after he issued a public apology for a comment regarding the late Paul Green. The win has set up a decider in Sydney on July 9, with life breathed back into a series that appeared destined to be won by NSW after their dominant game one. Slater has come under fire from all quarters in the past three weeks, over questions about selections following Daly Cherry-Evans' axing, the team's performance and his future in the job. He was also labelled a "grub" by former NSW forward Aaron Woods, prompting his controversial response on Tuesday at an outdoor press conference in Perth's CBD. The criticism was also enough to spur on the Maroons, with Munster revealing how players wanted to stand up and play for the former Queensland fullback. "When you have someone jabbing at him like that, it really hurts. It hurts me personally," Munster said. "And when someone's having a jab at someone in your own backyard, you stand up on your back and want to get up and fight. "We needed to do that tonight. We were backs against the wall, no-one gave us a chance. "I love him, and I just want to do the best thing for Queensland, and the best thing for him, because he's not doing this for him, he's doing it for Queensland." Munster himself was brilliant in the Maroons' win, scoring a try and named man of the match after starring in Queensland's 26-6 first-half. But the new Queensland captain is well aware the Maroons must be much better in Sydney, after letting NSW back into the game after the break and ending with four tries to their five. Regardless, Munster said the criticism of Slater for the Maroons' performance in their 18-6 series-opening loss was unwarranted. "He's our coach, and he's done everything he can to tick the boxes for us, and we didn't perform for him in game one," Munster said. "He got a lot of slack for it, and a lot of stuff in the media, and he didn't deserve it. "He's given us a great game plan, and we didn't execute in game one, and we did it tonight in the first half. "I played with Bill, he's a champion player and champion coach, and I've had a great relationship with him, and still do." Munster also revealed the Maroons had invoked the spirit of 1995 in the lead up to the game, with the 30-year anniversary of Paul Vautin's unlikely 3-0 series win during the Super League war. The Queensland No.6 referenced the 1995 series on field after the game, before again raising it in the press conference. "We keep talking about it," Munster said. "They won by two points in a couple of those games in the series, and we won by two tonight. It was that '95 mentality in defence. "We've just got to keep working hard for each other. It's going to be a harder task going to Sydney, and we've got to be ready for it. "We can't afford to be ambushed."
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
NSW pay for poor start on strange night for Cleary
NSW will rue an ill-disciplined first half that ultimately cost them the chance to wrap up the State of Origin series in Perth. The Blues went within a whisker of staging the biggest comeback win in Origin history but lost 26-24 after giving away eight penalties in the first half and trailing 26-6. Incredibly the Blues scored five tries to four but goal kicking cost them dearly in Origin II. Queensland great Cameron Smith summed up NSW half Nathan Cleary's strange and uncharacteristic showing in the opening 40 minutes. "I don't think he's been right all night," Smith said. Cleary was wearing a compression bandage on his upper right leg and did not kick for goal. Zac Lomax took on that responsibility but not hit them well at all. Cleary did not kick long in the first half and had a bizarre shank of a short kick. In the second half the maestro found an extra leg and started to find the magic with his passes and long kicks. The Blues comeback had a heavy involvement from the "Penrith gang" past and present, along with centre Latrell Mitchell who put Brian To'o over for two of his three tries. Cleary, Jarome Luai and Dylan Edwards combined like old times to put Stephen Crichton over out wide. Cleary and Luai got together again and it was the Wests Tigers five-eighth's kick for Angus Crichton that got them within two points of the Maroons. NSW's greatest-ever coach Phil Gould said the Blues played "unintelligent" footy in the first half. They scored the first try to the irrepressible To'o, who notched a hat-trick, but then clocked off as the Maroons found their momentum. "NSW didn't see it coming," Gould said of the Maroons' fightback in game two. While the Blues will be fuming over their opening 40 minutes they showed in the second half that when they get their game on they have the Maroons' measure. With the decider at Homebush there is no need for coach Laurie Daley to panic. Apart from injuries there are unlikely to be major changes but the Blues learnt a well-worn lesson that the Maroons are always at their most dangerous when written off. NSW will rue an ill-disciplined first half that ultimately cost them the chance to wrap up the State of Origin series in Perth. The Blues went within a whisker of staging the biggest comeback win in Origin history but lost 26-24 after giving away eight penalties in the first half and trailing 26-6. Incredibly the Blues scored five tries to four but goal kicking cost them dearly in Origin II. Queensland great Cameron Smith summed up NSW half Nathan Cleary's strange and uncharacteristic showing in the opening 40 minutes. "I don't think he's been right all night," Smith said. Cleary was wearing a compression bandage on his upper right leg and did not kick for goal. Zac Lomax took on that responsibility but not hit them well at all. Cleary did not kick long in the first half and had a bizarre shank of a short kick. In the second half the maestro found an extra leg and started to find the magic with his passes and long kicks. The Blues comeback had a heavy involvement from the "Penrith gang" past and present, along with centre Latrell Mitchell who put Brian To'o over for two of his three tries. Cleary, Jarome Luai and Dylan Edwards combined like old times to put Stephen Crichton over out wide. Cleary and Luai got together again and it was the Wests Tigers five-eighth's kick for Angus Crichton that got them within two points of the Maroons. NSW's greatest-ever coach Phil Gould said the Blues played "unintelligent" footy in the first half. They scored the first try to the irrepressible To'o, who notched a hat-trick, but then clocked off as the Maroons found their momentum. "NSW didn't see it coming," Gould said of the Maroons' fightback in game two. While the Blues will be fuming over their opening 40 minutes they showed in the second half that when they get their game on they have the Maroons' measure. With the decider at Homebush there is no need for coach Laurie Daley to panic. Apart from injuries there are unlikely to be major changes but the Blues learnt a well-worn lesson that the Maroons are always at their most dangerous when written off. NSW will rue an ill-disciplined first half that ultimately cost them the chance to wrap up the State of Origin series in Perth. The Blues went within a whisker of staging the biggest comeback win in Origin history but lost 26-24 after giving away eight penalties in the first half and trailing 26-6. Incredibly the Blues scored five tries to four but goal kicking cost them dearly in Origin II. Queensland great Cameron Smith summed up NSW half Nathan Cleary's strange and uncharacteristic showing in the opening 40 minutes. "I don't think he's been right all night," Smith said. Cleary was wearing a compression bandage on his upper right leg and did not kick for goal. Zac Lomax took on that responsibility but not hit them well at all. Cleary did not kick long in the first half and had a bizarre shank of a short kick. In the second half the maestro found an extra leg and started to find the magic with his passes and long kicks. The Blues comeback had a heavy involvement from the "Penrith gang" past and present, along with centre Latrell Mitchell who put Brian To'o over for two of his three tries. Cleary, Jarome Luai and Dylan Edwards combined like old times to put Stephen Crichton over out wide. Cleary and Luai got together again and it was the Wests Tigers five-eighth's kick for Angus Crichton that got them within two points of the Maroons. NSW's greatest-ever coach Phil Gould said the Blues played "unintelligent" footy in the first half. They scored the first try to the irrepressible To'o, who notched a hat-trick, but then clocked off as the Maroons found their momentum. "NSW didn't see it coming," Gould said of the Maroons' fightback in game two. While the Blues will be fuming over their opening 40 minutes they showed in the second half that when they get their game on they have the Maroons' measure. With the decider at Homebush there is no need for coach Laurie Daley to panic. Apart from injuries there are unlikely to be major changes but the Blues learnt a well-worn lesson that the Maroons are always at their most dangerous when written off.
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Impressive Munster begins new Maroons era in style
Queensland have stopped NSW from pulling off the greatest comeback in State of Origin history, keeping the series alive with a thrilling 26-24 win in Perth. After three weeks of turmoil that included the axing of captain Daly Cherry-Evans, the Maroons produced a Queensland performance for the ages to win 26-24. It didn't come easy after the Maroons led 26-6 at half-time and then let in four second-half tries to allow the Blues to get within two points with six minutes left. But just as NSW threatened to pull off the first 20-point comeback in Origin history, Payne Haas dropped a ball on attack late and the Maroons held on. Goalkicking proved the difference with NSW scoring more tries but Zac Lomax converting just two of five. The result sets up a series decider in Sydney on July 9, with NSW suddenly searching for answers after being well below their best at Optus Stadium. NSW coach Laurie Daley refused to blame his team's wayward goalkicking for the loss. "Yeah, you want to kick goals, but there were a lot more things that we needed to do that I was disappointed in," Daley said. "Goal kicking is way down the list. It's more about our execution, intent. There were a lot of things we didn't do well in the first half. "We showed what we were capable of doing in the second half, but you can't play a (first) half of football like that against quality opposition and expect to be close." On a frantic night that boiled over on several occasions, Jarome Luai was placed on report after rubbing his hand over Reuben Cotter's face. Luai appeared to make contact with Cotter's eye before Maroons fullback Kalyn Ponga then made a raking gesture with his hand to officials. Luai was later hit with a grade-two contrary conduct charge for unnecessary contact with the face and will cop a fine of $3900 with an early guilty plea. That alone summed up the night for the Blues, who at one stage trailed the penalty count 9-0 and had a crucial Nathan Cleary try overturned by an obstruction. Even so, this was a good night for the Maroons on a day that began with coach Billy Slater apologising for press conference comments that referenced the late Paul Green. Man-of-the-match Cameron Munster was superb in his first game as Queensland captain, while his halves partner Tom Dearden also impressed after taking Cherry-Evans's jersey. "I'm just proud of our boys to turn up for Billy," Munster said. "Because there's been a lot of speculation in the media and we needed to turn up for our coach tonight, and we did." Slater was proud of his team's efforts. "It's a heart stopper," he said. "Boy, it took a whole heap of courage and character and effort, a bit of spirit. "That's the pride I feel for our footy team, and I'm sure five-and-a-half million Queenslanders feel that pride right now as well." But what followed was an example of the Queensland spirit that Origin has largely been built on. The Maroons attack came to life, with Robert Toia sending Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow over for one and the winger jumping over Brian To'o for another. Munster scored once when Harry Grant got out of dummy-half, while Kurt Mann offloaded for a Kurt Capewell four-pointer before the break. Capewell's try looked likely to be a heartbreaker for the Blues, after Cleary had been denied for the obstruction moments earlier. But any thought Queensland had of cruising to victory was quickly killed off in the second half. To'o had his second shortly after the break when NSW stripped Queensland for numbers, before Stephen Crichton went through three defenders to make it a 12-point game. The comeback was then well and truly alive when Cleary and Luai combined to help Latrell Mitchell send To'o over for his third. And when Mitchell pulled off a one-on-one strip on Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Angus Crichton ran onto a Luai grubberkick, NSW looked set to storm home. But in the end Queensland stood tall at the death, sealing a famous backs-to-the-wall win to keep hope of winning back the Origin shield. The other concern for NSW is Cleary's groin, with the superstar Penrith halfback unable to kick for much of the match after reporting tightness in the build up. Queensland have stopped NSW from pulling off the greatest comeback in State of Origin history, keeping the series alive with a thrilling 26-24 win in Perth. After three weeks of turmoil that included the axing of captain Daly Cherry-Evans, the Maroons produced a Queensland performance for the ages to win 26-24. It didn't come easy after the Maroons led 26-6 at half-time and then let in four second-half tries to allow the Blues to get within two points with six minutes left. But just as NSW threatened to pull off the first 20-point comeback in Origin history, Payne Haas dropped a ball on attack late and the Maroons held on. Goalkicking proved the difference with NSW scoring more tries but Zac Lomax converting just two of five. The result sets up a series decider in Sydney on July 9, with NSW suddenly searching for answers after being well below their best at Optus Stadium. NSW coach Laurie Daley refused to blame his team's wayward goalkicking for the loss. "Yeah, you want to kick goals, but there were a lot more things that we needed to do that I was disappointed in," Daley said. "Goal kicking is way down the list. It's more about our execution, intent. There were a lot of things we didn't do well in the first half. "We showed what we were capable of doing in the second half, but you can't play a (first) half of football like that against quality opposition and expect to be close." On a frantic night that boiled over on several occasions, Jarome Luai was placed on report after rubbing his hand over Reuben Cotter's face. Luai appeared to make contact with Cotter's eye before Maroons fullback Kalyn Ponga then made a raking gesture with his hand to officials. Luai was later hit with a grade-two contrary conduct charge for unnecessary contact with the face and will cop a fine of $3900 with an early guilty plea. That alone summed up the night for the Blues, who at one stage trailed the penalty count 9-0 and had a crucial Nathan Cleary try overturned by an obstruction. Even so, this was a good night for the Maroons on a day that began with coach Billy Slater apologising for press conference comments that referenced the late Paul Green. Man-of-the-match Cameron Munster was superb in his first game as Queensland captain, while his halves partner Tom Dearden also impressed after taking Cherry-Evans's jersey. "I'm just proud of our boys to turn up for Billy," Munster said. "Because there's been a lot of speculation in the media and we needed to turn up for our coach tonight, and we did." Slater was proud of his team's efforts. "It's a heart stopper," he said. "Boy, it took a whole heap of courage and character and effort, a bit of spirit. "That's the pride I feel for our footy team, and I'm sure five-and-a-half million Queenslanders feel that pride right now as well." But what followed was an example of the Queensland spirit that Origin has largely been built on. The Maroons attack came to life, with Robert Toia sending Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow over for one and the winger jumping over Brian To'o for another. Munster scored once when Harry Grant got out of dummy-half, while Kurt Mann offloaded for a Kurt Capewell four-pointer before the break. Capewell's try looked likely to be a heartbreaker for the Blues, after Cleary had been denied for the obstruction moments earlier. But any thought Queensland had of cruising to victory was quickly killed off in the second half. To'o had his second shortly after the break when NSW stripped Queensland for numbers, before Stephen Crichton went through three defenders to make it a 12-point game. The comeback was then well and truly alive when Cleary and Luai combined to help Latrell Mitchell send To'o over for his third. And when Mitchell pulled off a one-on-one strip on Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Angus Crichton ran onto a Luai grubberkick, NSW looked set to storm home. But in the end Queensland stood tall at the death, sealing a famous backs-to-the-wall win to keep hope of winning back the Origin shield. The other concern for NSW is Cleary's groin, with the superstar Penrith halfback unable to kick for much of the match after reporting tightness in the build up. Queensland have stopped NSW from pulling off the greatest comeback in State of Origin history, keeping the series alive with a thrilling 26-24 win in Perth. After three weeks of turmoil that included the axing of captain Daly Cherry-Evans, the Maroons produced a Queensland performance for the ages to win 26-24. It didn't come easy after the Maroons led 26-6 at half-time and then let in four second-half tries to allow the Blues to get within two points with six minutes left. But just as NSW threatened to pull off the first 20-point comeback in Origin history, Payne Haas dropped a ball on attack late and the Maroons held on. Goalkicking proved the difference with NSW scoring more tries but Zac Lomax converting just two of five. The result sets up a series decider in Sydney on July 9, with NSW suddenly searching for answers after being well below their best at Optus Stadium. NSW coach Laurie Daley refused to blame his team's wayward goalkicking for the loss. "Yeah, you want to kick goals, but there were a lot more things that we needed to do that I was disappointed in," Daley said. "Goal kicking is way down the list. It's more about our execution, intent. There were a lot of things we didn't do well in the first half. "We showed what we were capable of doing in the second half, but you can't play a (first) half of football like that against quality opposition and expect to be close." On a frantic night that boiled over on several occasions, Jarome Luai was placed on report after rubbing his hand over Reuben Cotter's face. Luai appeared to make contact with Cotter's eye before Maroons fullback Kalyn Ponga then made a raking gesture with his hand to officials. Luai was later hit with a grade-two contrary conduct charge for unnecessary contact with the face and will cop a fine of $3900 with an early guilty plea. That alone summed up the night for the Blues, who at one stage trailed the penalty count 9-0 and had a crucial Nathan Cleary try overturned by an obstruction. Even so, this was a good night for the Maroons on a day that began with coach Billy Slater apologising for press conference comments that referenced the late Paul Green. Man-of-the-match Cameron Munster was superb in his first game as Queensland captain, while his halves partner Tom Dearden also impressed after taking Cherry-Evans's jersey. "I'm just proud of our boys to turn up for Billy," Munster said. "Because there's been a lot of speculation in the media and we needed to turn up for our coach tonight, and we did." Slater was proud of his team's efforts. "It's a heart stopper," he said. "Boy, it took a whole heap of courage and character and effort, a bit of spirit. "That's the pride I feel for our footy team, and I'm sure five-and-a-half million Queenslanders feel that pride right now as well." But what followed was an example of the Queensland spirit that Origin has largely been built on. The Maroons attack came to life, with Robert Toia sending Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow over for one and the winger jumping over Brian To'o for another. Munster scored once when Harry Grant got out of dummy-half, while Kurt Mann offloaded for a Kurt Capewell four-pointer before the break. Capewell's try looked likely to be a heartbreaker for the Blues, after Cleary had been denied for the obstruction moments earlier. But any thought Queensland had of cruising to victory was quickly killed off in the second half. To'o had his second shortly after the break when NSW stripped Queensland for numbers, before Stephen Crichton went through three defenders to make it a 12-point game. The comeback was then well and truly alive when Cleary and Luai combined to help Latrell Mitchell send To'o over for his third. And when Mitchell pulled off a one-on-one strip on Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Angus Crichton ran onto a Luai grubberkick, NSW looked set to storm home. But in the end Queensland stood tall at the death, sealing a famous backs-to-the-wall win to keep hope of winning back the Origin shield. The other concern for NSW is Cleary's groin, with the superstar Penrith halfback unable to kick for much of the match after reporting tightness in the build up.
