Latest news with #Fa'asuamaleaui
7NEWS
7 days ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
NRL clubs circle in-demand Gold Coast captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui: ‘Better when he's on your side'
Bulldogs prop Max King isn't even trying to hide how badly he wants Gold Coast captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui to join his team. Fa'asuamaleaui has a clause in his contract that allows him to speak to other clubs from November 1 for the 2027 season. And the Titans skipper — considered to be the game's best prop — will test the open market with big-money offers waiting from the Dogs and the Perth Bears circling. Titans chairman Dennis Watt has already said he is determined to keep the inspirational Test and Queensland star. But that might not be possible. 'Great teams go after great players and Tino fits that role, he would fit in great knowing him personally. He's a great fella and he's team first with everything,' King, who played with Fa'asuamaleaui at the Storm, said. 'He's a big boy, you know you are in for a physical day when you verse Tino. He's a hard man to handle. He's one that I have played with him and against and it's better when he's on your side.' It has been reported the Perth Bears have a $7.5 million, five-year deal on the table for Fa'asuamaleaui. And the Dragons are also interested, with another report that their offer is 'absolutely massive' and will make him 'the richest' player in St George Illawarra history. Speaking on SEN, incoming Bears coach Meninga said: 'I'd be silly if I didn't go and have a conversation with him. 'He's a leader already, plays long minutes and is charismatic around the club. 'I know Tino well. His preference would be to stay at the Titans but he's been pretty open with his commentary. The club has to prove to him the Titans have a future. 'There's no doubt if he became available, I wouldn't be the only person trying to talk to him. He's such a talent and young.' Bulldogs' Hayward switch could be best in 15 years No NRL premier has made such a big and late tactical change at hooker in 15 seasons but Canterbury players insist Bailey Hayward's promotion to No.9 can help the Bulldogs become even better. With five rounds before finals, Hayward started as an NRL rake for the first time in Canterbury's defeat of the Warriors and retains his spot for Friday's clash with the Sydney Roosters. It's left North Queensland-bound Reed Mahoney, starting dummy-half in a grand final three years ago, consigned to a bench spot as the third-placed Dogs eye a first premiership since 2004. 'Respectfully, there probably wasn't a spot for (Hayward) in the 17 at the start of the year and he's just forced his way into the team every week,' said Bulldogs prop Max King. 'Now he's forced himself inside that 13, in the No.9. It's a credit to himself and how he's going.' Hayward's breakout season notwithstanding, it is rare for premiership-winning teams to make such a dramatic shift in the crucial position so late in a campaign. The most recent example of a team tinkering with its starting hooker this late in a premiership run was in 2022, when Penrith's Mitch Kenny began to start ahead of Api Koroisau. But that change was nowhere near as seismic as the Hayward move, with Koroisau always swapped to the bench on game day and still playing the majority of each game at hooker. South Sydney memorably thrust Koroisau into starting hooker when Issac Luke was suspended for the 2014 grand final, while rookie Sam Verrills replaced the injured Jake Friend with seven regular-season games to play in 2019. But it's not since 2010 that a side has made as big a tactical move at hooker this late in the season and gone on to win the premiership. That year, St George Illawarra coach Wayne Bennett began deploying Dean Young at the expense of dual premiership-winner Luke Priddis, who only started again when stars were rested before finals. Coincidentally, Bennett began the tactical change with five games before finals - the exact same time of the season as Canterbury have begun starting the newly re-signed Hayward. But Hayward's teammates are confident the late change can take the Bulldogs to new heights. 'Bailey's biggest attribute is his communication and the way he works with teammates,' King said. 'He makes us all better. Everyone speaks about the greatest compliment you can get is (being) a player that players want to play with. He fits into that mould. 'He makes us a better team.' Canterbury retooled their attack ahead of their season's best performance, a 42-4 walloping of Manly three weeks ago, and Hayward has been tipped to continue their ascent in that area. '(Hayward at hooker) is obviously going to add that value to us in attack. We're obviously building on that each week but he'll bring a dimension to that as well,' said five-eighth Matt Burton. 'He's been great for us all year.' Mahoney played 16-and-a-half minutes from the bench on Saturday, only coming on once the result was sealed. '(The change) is not really a discredit to him, it's just more of a credit to Bailey and how he's been performing. It's a tough position for Reed but I feel like he's handled it really well,' King said.
The Age
09-07-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Emotional Tino to dig deep for Maroons – and a grieving Munster
Tears cascaded down Tino Fa'asuamaleaui's face, his eyes gleaming in the stadium lights, as the national anthem was sung to launch State of Origin 2025. About a year before he watched from the sidelines, recovering from a ruptured ACL, as Queensland suffered a series defeat. Now, the softly spoken enforcer was back where he belonged. 'I love this state, everybody probably saw that in game one,' Fa'asuamaleaui said before the decider in Sydney. 'In game two, having that under control a bit more, it was still another rollercoaster. There were a few things that didn't go the way I wanted, but that's what the journey of Origin is about, and football – and even life.' Loading Such was his determination to announce his comeback in full flight, Fa'asuamaleaui ventured to the US and worked with renowned conditioning expert Bill Knowles. Even throughout the season, the 25-year-old felt below his athletic best. 'That's the rollercoaster. At the start of the year, I was still finding my lunges, and still finding the way things move on the field,' he said.
Sydney Morning Herald
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Emotional Tino to dig deep for Maroons – and a grieving Munster
Tears cascaded down Tino Fa'asuamaleaui's face, his eyes gleaming in the stadium lights, as the national anthem was sung to launch State of Origin 2025. About a year before he watched from the sidelines, recovering from a ruptured ACL, as Queensland suffered a series defeat. Now, the softly spoken enforcer was back where he belonged. 'I love this state, everybody probably saw that in game one,' Fa'asuamaleaui said before the decider in Sydney. 'In game two, having that under control a bit more, it was still another rollercoaster. There were a few things that didn't go the way I wanted, but that's what the journey of Origin is about, and football – and even life.' Loading Such was his determination to announce his comeback in full flight, Fa'asuamaleaui ventured to the US and worked with renowned conditioning expert Bill Knowles. Even throughout the season, the 25-year-old felt below his athletic best. 'That's the rollercoaster. At the start of the year, I was still finding my lunges, and still finding the way things move on the field,' he said.
Courier-Mail
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
GALLERY: 50+ photos as Tino and the Maroons storm Albert Park
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News. Albert Park was buzzing long before the Qld Maroons arrived, and families scrambled for the best view as the State of Origin Game II Qld Maroons squad walked onto the field. It was barely pushing 10 degrees celsius by the Qld Maroons Fan Day's 9am start, but the crowd — between 500 and 600 strong — stayed until the Maroons bus' parting honks. 'It's so good to be back, just to see all this and just being where it all started, it's such a good feeling,' Fa'asuamaleaui said. 'I'm so grateful to be here while wearing these colours, I love it.' While Fa'asuamaleaui was tipped to be captain for the next State of Origin, it was announced Cameron Munster will take the reins. We asked Tino what wisdom he had for local youngsters dreaming as big as he did. 'Work hard and enjoy your football,' the hometown hero said. 'That's the big thing my parents always told me was to work hard no matter what I'm doing, and always having fun with it, that's a big one.' Our reporter was there to capture all the excitement from the day. Internet stars Those Carter Boys with a young fan at Qld Maroons Fan Day 2025. L-R: Logan Flack and Mackenzie Pilkington at Qld Maroons Fan Day 2025. L-R: Linkin Peacock, Beau Peacock and Black Miller at Qld Maroons Fan Day 2025. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui signing for fans at Qld Maroons Fan Day 2025. L-R: April Sik, Emily Collyer, Annabelle Morgan and Jahz Alexander at Qld Maroons Fan Day 2025. L-R: Davis and Keannan at Maroons Qld Maroons Fan Day 2025. Fans in front of Maroons bus at Qld Maroons Fan day 2025, including one youngster who couldn't believe his luck. L-R: Turi Maher and Trista Morley at Qld Maroons Fan Day 2025. L-R: Daniel Cobbo and Richard at Qld Maroons Fan Day 2025. L-R: Lacy and Sadira at Maroons Qld Maroons Fan Day 2025. L-R: Internet stars Those Carter Boys with Mackenzie Pilkington at Qld Maroons Fan Day 2025. L-R: Promise and Taiyah at Maroons Qld Maroons Fan Day 2025. Internet stars Those Carter Boys with young fans at Qld Maroons Fan Day 2025. L-R: Nate, Nylah and Zaiden at Qld Maroons Fan Day 2025. L-R: Mel Eastigar and Aleisha Dodt at Qld Maroons Fan Day 2025. L-R: Matthew Herbal and Jessie Dahlstrom at Qld Maroons Fan Day 2025. L-R: Leah, Tamara, Annabel and Lara at Qld Maroons Fan Day 2025. Jordon Beutel at Qld Maroons Fan Day 2025. L-R: Gordon Wragge, Kimmi, William and Thomas from Cherbourg at Qld Maroons Fan Day 2025. L-R: Amaya, Amity, Coby, Cassie, Owen and Ethan at Qld Maroons Fan Day 2025. Internet stars Those Carter Boys with young fans at Qld Maroons Fan Day 2025. L-R: Zeke, Olivia, Peter and Sam at Qld Maroons Fan Day 2025. L-R: Theresa and Owen Dargus from Rainbow Beach at Qld Maroons Fan Day 2025. L-R: Jack and Max at Qld Maroons Fan Day 2025. L-R: Riley, Joe and Jett at Qld Maroons Fan Day 2025. L-R: Charlotte Keogh, Jakai Bourke and Cooper Keogh at Qld Maroons Fan Day 2025. Fans got a chance to toss the ball at Qld Maroons Fan Day 2025. Internet stars Those Carter Boys with Lachie at Qld Maroons Fan Day 2025. The Origin Game II team lines up to begin Qld Maroons Fan Day 2025. Billy Slater with fans at the Queensland State of Origin Fan Day at Albert Park in Gympie. Picture Lachie Millard Johnathan Thurston with fans at the Queensland State of Origin Fan Day at Albert Park in Gympie. Picture Lachie Millard Kalyn Ponga, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Hamish Tubai-Fidow at the Queensland State of Origin Fan Day at Albert Park in Gympie. Picture Lachie Millard New captain Cameron Munster with Gympie Mayor Glen Hartwig at the Queensland State of Origin Fan Day at Albert Park in Gympie. Picture Lachie Millard Pat Carrigan takes a selfie with fans at the Queensland State of Origin Fan Day at Albert Park in Gympie. Picture Lachie Millard Crowds at the Queensland State of Origin Fan Day at Albert Park in Gympie. Picture Lachie Millard New captain Cameron Munster talks to media in Gympie on Tuesday. Picture Lachie Millard Maroons new captain Cameron Munster and coach Billy Slater at the Queensland State of Origin Fan Day at Albert Park in Gympie. Picture Lachie Millard Billy Slater takes a selfie with fans at the Queensland State of Origin Fan Day at Albert Park in Gympie. Picture Lachie Millard Harry Grant signs autographs at the Queensland State of Origin Fan Day at Albert Park in Gympie. Picture Lachie Millard Maroons players at the Queensland State of Origin Fan Day at Albert Park in Gympie. Picture Lachie Millard Billy Slater with fans at the Queensland State of Origin Fan Day at Albert Park in Gympie. Picture Lachie Millard New captain Cameron Munster arrives at the Queensland State of Origin Fan Day at Albert Park in Gympie. Picture Lachie Millard Maroons players arrive at the Queensland State of Origin Fan Day at Albert Park in Gympie. Picture Lachie Millard Former local Tino Faíasuamaleaui with students from his former school Jones Hill state school at the Queensland State of Origin Fan Day at Albert Park in Gympie. Picture Lachie Millard Kurt Capewell signs autographs at the Queensland State of Origin Fan Day at Albert Park in Gympie. Picture Lachie Millard Queensland players at the State of Origin Fan Day at Albert Park in Gympie on Tuesday. Picture Lachie Millard Ezra Mam signs autographs at the Queensland State of Origin Fan Day at Albert Park in Gympie. Picture Lachie Millard Cameron Munster takes a selfie with Kamba Todd 16, and Ava Chambers 16, at the Queensland State of Origin Fan Day at Albert Park in Gympie. Picture Lachie Millard Maroons fans Mason Beck 9, Chloe Hunter 10, Ruby Foley 10, and Savannah Waugh 9, at the Queensland State of Origin Fan Day at Albert Park in Gympie. Picture Lachie Millard
7NEWS
12-06-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Maroons enforcer Tino Fa'asuamaleaui vows to ‘take it personal' against NSW Blues
NSW wrecking ball Payne Haas beware, because Queensland prop Tino Fa'asuamaleaui has vowed to 'take it personal' in Perth and fire up the underperforming Maroons pack. The Maroons have been baited by NSW forward Angus Crichton, who said the Queenslanders had been told not to kick off to Haas or Blues bench enforcer Spencer Leniu. Leniu called the Maroons 'pussies' for not kicking to him in game one of the State of Origin series in Brisbane, won 18-6 by NSW, but Fa'asuamaleaui said he would 'not take a backward step' against Leniu. Fa'asuamaleaui was not happy with his start in Brisbane, where his ill-discipline gave away an early penalty. The Gold Coast skipper has wrangled with Haas since they had a classic Origin confrontation in game two of 2020 when both were sin-binned after throwing punches at each other. Fa'asuamaleaui isn't interested in replicating that set-to, but in 2020 he announced himself as a dominant Origin force and outplayed Haas in the Maroons' 2-1 series win. Series wins over a Haas-led NSW pack in 2022 and 2023 followed. Haas was man of the match in Brisbane, and now it is Fa'asuamaleaui's turn to lead the Maroons to victory and save the series. The Maroons were slammed for being out-muscled and ill-disciplined in game one and must find a balance. 'I take it personal, every game I play,' Fa'asuamaleaui said. 'Every time I put that Queensland jersey on, it means so much to me. 'There were obviously a lot of emotions that first game, but any game I get to put this jersey on, I take it personal and hopefully I can do a job for my teammates. 'I think we have just got to be smart. We've got to treat the ball like gold and make sure that we don't hand it over and give silly opportunities, but the fire's there definitely. 'There's a lot of little discipline things that we did (wrong in game one) and we've identified that.' The 25-year-old prop brushed aside claims the Maroons were too scared of Leniu to kick to him. 'We'll find out our game plan this week,' he said. 'Whoever's in front of us, we're not taking a backward step and we're excited to play.' Fa'asuamaleaui played 12 Origin games in a row and won three series out of four until an ACL tear rubbed him out of last year's 2-1 loss to the Blues. His joy at being back for game one spilled over when there were tears during the anthems in Brisbane. 'Putting that Queensland jersey on after watching it as a fan last year, then obviously finding my way back in the team this year ... all the emotions came out,' he said. Big Tino must get down to business and channel his emotions in Perth after coach Billy Slater conducted a brutal review of game one on Monday night in camp. 'We've had a real honest conversation between players and coaches about what we need to do,' Fa'asuamaleaui said. 'I'm excited to get into training, practise good habits and find our (best) game.'
