Latest news with #TinoFa'asuamaleaui
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Maroons star produces subtle act of support for heartbroken team-mate in the build-up to Origin III
A Queensland star showed a heartwarming show of support for his heart-broken team-mate Cameron Munster with a subtle act in the build up to State of Origin III. Munster returned to lead his side out for the crunch State of Origin decider on Wednesday night at the Accor Stadium, just days after the tragic and sudden passing of his father Steven. The Maroons skipper, who had left camp on Sunday, returning home to be with his family, has been hailed for his courage for insisting that he was still going to lead the side out against New South Wales. The 30-year-old cut an energetic figure as he ran out the tunnell ahead of the national anthem. But as Advance Australia Fair, Titans prop Tino Fa'asuamaleaui subtely wrapped his arm around Munster and rubbed his head, in a show of support for the Melbourne Storm star, who was said to have been 'shaken' by this weeks events. As the anthem finished, Munster was seen breathing a big sigh, before turning and refocusing on the match. But after his man-of-the-match performance last week, Munster again showcased his brilliance, helping to set up winger Xavier Coates for the first try of the match. Speaking during the first 15 minutes, Maroons boss Billy Slater joined Nine's commentary of the match to again laud his captain. 'Yeah it's a brave and courageous effort,' Slater said, speaking on Munster. 'He's certainly contributing as well.'
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Meninga snares key figure from Titans to join Panthers premiership-winner in Perth
Mal Meninga has reportedly poached the Gold Coast Titans' long-time NRL recruitment manager to join him at the Perth Bears - a move that could pave the way for a play at superstar forwards Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and David Fifita. The Titans announced on Wednesday that Ezra Howe has left his role as the club's recruitment guru after seven years. He's reportedly set to join Meninga in Perth after they worked together at the Titans when Meninga was the club's high performance and culture consultant. Howe was responsible for helping convince Fa'asuamaleaui and Fifita to join the Titans from Melbourne and Brisbane respectively. The Queensland State of Origin forwards are both off contract at the end of 2026, which coincides with the Bears entering the NRL in 2027. With Howe now at the Bears, it could be a huge advantage if the Perth team makes a play for Fa'asuamaleaui and Fifita like expected. The Titans confirmed Howe's immediate departure on Wednesday, saying in a statement: 'The Titans can confirm that long-term recruitment manager Ezra Howe has finished in the role he's held for the past seven seasons. Howe joined the Titans in 2019 and has made a significant contribution to the club. Aside from the recruitment role, he's also helped develop the club's junior elite pathways programs. 'Howe will finish up his duties at the Titans effective immediately. The club wishes Ezra and his family all the best for the future and thank him for the significant contribution he has made over a long period of time on the Gold Coast. His replacement will be announced in due course.' Howe will be another key piece in Meninga's coaching and recruitment team in Perth after he recently signed Ben Gardiner from the Panthers to be his assistant coach. Gardiner is currently head coach of Samoa and an assistant under Ivan Cleary at Penrith, and was part of the Panthers' premiership-winning teams in 2023 and 2024. He previously coached the North Sydney Bears in NSW Cup, and is keen to continue the connection in Perth. "I can't wait to work closely with new people in Western Australia and build a hugely successful team over the next five years as we promote rugby league and grow the game," Gardiner said last month. Meninga added: "I look forward to Ben helping us to build a club and culture which will set the Bears' future on the right path. He has worked with some great clubs and teams, at premiership and representative level, and he also has Bears DNA to add to his prolific experience." RELATED: Gorden Tallis responds after Billy Slater tipped to make sad decision Cameron Smith opens up on family dilemma at heart of coaching call Meanwhile, Meninga has revealed he's eyeing Bulldogs forward Jacob Preston in what would be a huge signing coup. Preston is contracted with Canterbury until the end of 2027, and Meninga views him as a potential leader for the Bears - his junior club. 'He's certainly on my radar, no doubt,' Meninga told . 'He is a great player – I'm a fan of Jacob. And being a Norths junior doubles our interest. Being an ex-Bear is an important link. We are starting fresh but to have that Bears' DNA is a bonus. 'Why wouldn't we look at investing in him down the track? He's got to be off contract, obviously, but there's no reason why we shouldn't. I'd be very keen through our channels to have a chat with his management down the track. We can't just think about 2027, we have to think beyond that as well." Storm superstars Jahrome Hughes and Ryan Papenhuyzen (both off contract after 2026) have continually been linked to the Bears, however they've both denied interest. Payne Haas would also be a prime target, while Selwyn Cobbo seems the most likely high-profile signing after he recently inked a one-year deal with the Dolphins for 2026 that makes him a free agent when Perth enters the comp a year later.
ABC News
18-06-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Tino Fa'asuamaleaui's journey back to the NRL and the 'blessing' he found in family and connecting with his roots
From setback to strength, Queensland Maroons lock and Gold Coast Titans captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui's journey back to the field has been anything but easy. After an ACL injury sidelined him for nearly the entire 2024 NRL season, Tino faced one of the toughest challenges, fighting to regain his spot in the Origin squad. After losing Game 1 with the Maroons he's back again tonight, ready to give it his all. Tino calls the injury a 'blessing in disguise.' "It was a bit frustrating sitting on the sidelines all year with my injury, but there was also a lot of blessings with it, I got to spend more time with my family" he said. "... I think just with the mindset, thinking of ideas of where I could help the community when I go back to Samoa" During his recovery, he spent valuable time in Samoa, reconnecting with his roots, learning more of his language, and dreaming up ways to give back to his rugby league community, village, and family. "I just really want to find out who I am, and also where my family's from and just keep in touch," he said. "I'm so glad that I've come, because you know I haven't been here in so long and you lose touch with it a bit. "Just to be back here you want to give more and be around your family and really learn the tradition of Samoa and each village, especially my village." The Maroons will take on the Blues this evening at Optus Stadium in Perth with kick off at 8.05pm AEST Tune in to Radio Australia for live commentary with coverage starting from 7pm AEST. Words by Dinah Lewis Boucher, Penina Momoisea Additional footage from the Gold Coast Titans and King Siva Academy Posted 8m ago 8 minutes ago Wed 18 Jun 2025 at 1:18am
ABC News
10-06-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Queensland names Cameron Munster as new Maroons captain to succeed Daly Cherry-Evans
Cameron Munster will celebrate his 20th State of Origin match as the new captain of Queensland. The 30-year-old Melbourne playmaker has edged out fellow Storm teammate Harry Grant and Gold Coast prop and captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui for the role. He replaces former skipper Daly Cherry-Evans, who was axed after the 18-6 loss in game one of this year's series. Munster will take charge for game two in Perth next Wednesday night as the Maroons aim to square the ledger. The new skipper has scored three tries in his 19 Origin outings so far, and he would no doubt love to add to the tally as the Queenslanders seek to keep the series alive in the west. Munster is a proven leader and is in the Storm leadership group. AAP/ABC
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Storm secure scrappy win over tenacious Titans
Melbourne may have banked a 28-16 win but did little to convince coach Craig Bellamy to sign for another year in a scrappy showing against a battling Gold Coast. The Titans' eighth loss kept the pressure on coach Des Hasler with the team languishing in second last on the ladder, as Melbourne moved into second spot following Saturday's victory at Cbus Super Stadium. INTERCEPT! 🙌#NRLTitansStorm Telstra Moment of the Match — NRL (@NRL) May 31, 2025 But Bellamy, who said before the match he was likely to make a decision on his coaching future next week, looked far from happy with the Storm's performance. While wet weather didn't make it easy for either side, ill-discipline and errors meant Melbourne struggled to shake the Titans, with a furious Bellamy up out of his seat a number of times, storming into the back of the coach's box. Winger Sua Fa'alogo and centre Grant Anderson both scored a double on a limited Melbourne highlight reel, while Titans winger Phillip Sami also crossed twice for his side. Melbourne rested Origin stars Harry Grant and Xavier Coates while Cameron Munster, Trent Loiero and Stefano Utoikamanu all reported for duty. The Titans' three representative players - skipper Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Beau Fermor and Moeaki Fotuaika - all backed up. But the home side were forced into some late changes after fullback Jaylan De Groot went down with a hamstring injury and five-eighth AJ Brimson suffered a head knock at Thursday's training Gold Coast got off to a bright start when Jojo Fifita beat Jack Howarth in a one-on-one battle before he scooted away and off-loaded to Jayden Campbell for a try in the fifth minute. The Titans dominated much of the half but late tries to Fa'alogo and Tyran Wishart gave Melbourne a 16-6 halftime lead. The home side must have felt hard done by when they were denied a try in the 64th minute, only for the Storm to score immediately after. Melbourne players Joe Chan and Shawn Blore were caught up on the ground at the ruck and dummy half Sam Verrills picked up the ball and dived over the line. But after a Storm challenge he was ruled to have touched Fa'asuamaleaui's leg on the way through, which impeded Ryan Papenhuyzen in defence. Anderson then intercepted the ball as the Titans attacked the line and raced 90 metres for a 12-point swing. Sami grabbed his second try soon after but by then the margin proved too big for Gold Coast to peg back.
