Maroons have giant Tino on their radar
GOLD Coast-bound Storm sensation Tino Fa’asuamaleaui quit Brisbane to launch his NRL career in Melbourne and could return to haunt the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium on Friday.
The 197cm, 115kg forward has been one of Melbourne’s breakout players this season ahead of a $2 million move to the Titans next year.
At age 20 and with only 15 NRL appearances under his belt, Fa’asuamaleaui has been averaging 106m and 20 tackles off the bench for Storm this season to prove he is a genuine star in the making.
His form has not gone unnoticed, with Queensland coach Kevin Walters confirming Fa’asuamaleaui was in the mix to make his Origin debut in November. That would be a dream come true.
“It would mean everything, that’s all I’ve wanted to do from a young age is be able to put a Queensland jersey on,” said Fa’asuamaleaui, who was in Brisbane’s development squad before he was poached by Melbourne.
“Even wearing the Maroon jumper in junior teams, I would get pumped up and emotional.
“I watched Origin from a young age so I know the history and I would love to be on the biggest stage in rugby league. I would love to test myself against the best and do my state proud.
“I am a passionate Queenslander, it’s hard to describe how it would make me feel.”
Walters said Fa’asuamaleaui had been really impressive for the Storm.
“He is in a brilliant system in the Storm, where they teach the little habits and they expose their players to methods that help us at Origin time,” he said
Fa’asuamaleaui grew up in Widgee, a small town west of Gympie, and was part of Broncos development programs from the age of 12. But it was the Storm that pounced on him in his late teens.