MOE THE MAROON
Titans front-rower Fotuaika wants Origin role
QUEENSLAND has scored a major coup with Titans front-row sensation Moe Fotuaika rejecting New Zealand to chase his State of Origin dream with the Maroons.
Fotuaika has officially pledged his allegiance to Queensland after Maroons coach Kevin Walters inquired about his eligibility for the historic Origin series in November.
The development is a major shot in the arm in Queensland’s quest to snap NSW’s two-year dominance of Origin, with legendary Blues prop Steve Roach rating Fotuaika a future front-row superstar.
There were fears Fotuaika had been lost to the Queensland system.
He grew up on the Gold Coast and attended Keebra Park State High School but held dual eligibility as he was born in New Zealand and represented the Junior Kiwis two years ago.
Maroons hierarchy were so unsure of Fotuaika’s allegiance he is not listed on the Queensland Rugby League’s official register of Origin eligible players.
But the confusion is over, with Walters confirming Fotuaika is officially a Queenslander — putting the 20-year-old firmly in the selection frame for Origin I on November 4.
“Moe is eligible for Queensland,” Walters said.
“I spoke to him last week and he has confirmed he wants to play for us.
“He has some strong cultural ties to Tonga and New Zealand, but Moe has always been on my radar and I’m glad he is committed to play for the Maroons.”
Fotuaika made his NRL debut in 2018 and has since amassed 54 first-grade games. The 107kg bookend has been superb for the Titans this season, averaging 144 metres and 36 tackles per game to play a leading role in Gold Coast’s revival under new coach Justin Holbrook.
Balmain legend Roach believes Fotuaika would flourish in the Origin arena with his skill, toughness and footwork — and Walters agrees. “He has been outstanding for the Titans for the past two seasons,” Walters said.
“I just love his toughness. He has battled a wrist problem and he has soldiered on, so he’s genuinely on the radar for an Origin debut.
“From my point of view, Moe is very consistent and gets through a mountain of work with no fuss. He is certainly tough enough for Origin and he is starting for the Titans as well, so he is among the props I am looking at for this year’s series.”
Titans teammate and Queensland workhorse Jai Arrow believes Fotuaika — who turns 21 two days before Origin III on November 18 — is ready for an Origin baptism.
“Moe is a genetically gifted young man,” Arrow said. “He is so powerful and strong. It is scary that he is only 20. He has got a lot of footy ahead of him. “I guarantee you he would be right for the Origin arena.
“I’ve been in his ear telling him, ‘If you make it, put your hand up, you’d love it, it’d be the best thing for you’. I have no doubt he would eat that arena up.
“Moe is the second strongest at the club, he has a massive motor, is strong, has an offload and pass. He is getting better.”