Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

Powerhouse backrower Tino Fa'asuamaleaui came into his own during the 2020 NRL season, mounting an irresistible case for selection in the Queensland side, for the end-of-season State of Origin series.

He was earmarked for Origin duty from a young age, having represented Queensland in the Under 16, Under 18 (twice) and Under 20 divisions.

Born in Orange, in Western New South Wales, he grew up in the rural community of Widgee, near Gympie, and played junior league for Gympie Devils.

Fa'asuamaleaui was part of the Brisbane Broncos' development program from the age of 12, but ultimately was signed by Melbourne Storm. He played for Queensland Under 16s from the Central Queensland Crows Mal Meninga Cup side, in 2016.

In 2017, he represented Queensland Under 18s from the Sunshine Coast Falcons, and then in 2018, was chosen for the state under 18s from the Victorian Thunderbirds Mal Meninga Cup side.

He finished the season playing in the Intrust Super Cup for Easts Tigers, helping the side reach the grand final, where they went down 36-22 to Redcliffe Dolphins.

Fa'asuamaleaui was the first player born in the 2000s to play Intrust Super Cup.

In October, 2018, he played for the Junior Kangaroos, scoring two tries in a 40-24 win over the Junior Kiwis in Auckland.

Fa'asuamaleaui made his NRL debut for the Storm in Round 16, 2019 - against St George Illawarra - after starting the season with the Sunshine Coast Falcons. 

Like any Queensland kid, Origin was hectic. We'd just throw on whatever was Maroon and get around it.

Tino Fa'asuamaleaui FOG #209

At the end of the year, he played for an under 23 Junior Kangaroos side, against France in Wollongong. A week later, he played for Samoa against Fiji, in Auckland, honouring his father, Fereti's heritage. Fereti was recruited from Samoa by Roosters' scout, the legendary Queensland Origin skipper and coach, Arthur Beetson, to play with the Sydney club, in the 1990s.

After playing five games for the Storm in his rookie season, Fa'asuamaleaui featured in 22 games in 2020, including the grand final win over Penrith.

He made his Origin debut at lock in Game I of the 2020 series, and kept his spot for all three games, with Queensland claiming a famous 2-1 series win.

In 2021, Fa'asuamaleaui returned to Queensland, after having signed with Gold Coast Titans, with Maroons' Origin legend, Mal Meninga (Titans High Performance Advisor) a big factor in his decision.

Fa'asuamaleaui played all three Origin games in 2021, the first match in the front row, and the next two back in the lock position.

He was appointed Titans' skipper at the start of the 2022 NRL season and was instrumental for the Gold Coast Coast in the opening rounds of the year. Tino was recalled for a third straight year to represent the Maroons and was an integral part of the side in their series winning side. 

Fa'asuamaleuai capped off a huge year winning his second Paul Broughton award for Titans Player of the Year. The Titans forward was later selected in the Kangaroos World Cup squad, playing five games including Australia's 30-10 victory over Samoa in the World Cup Final.