‘He’s a freak’: Nathan Peats’ praise for Gold Coast teammate Moeaki Fotuaika

‘Unbelievable’ — that’s how Gold Coast hooker Nathan Peats rates Titans teammate Moeaki Fotuaika. And Tonga’s national coach is taking notice.

Gold Coast Titans pre-season training. Nathan Peats. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

Nathan Peats’ resume includes State of Origin, City-Country and Indigenous All-Stars but the Gold Coast hooker rates club teammate Moeaki Fotuaika as the one of the best young talent he’s played with.

Peats was in awe of Fotuaika’s barnstorming efforts against Brisbane and recalled a particular turning point in their eight-point win.

“Mo, he’s a freak,” Peats said.

“(I was) pretty buggered at the 25 minute mark, you know it was a pretty fast-paced game.

“Then I look over and he’s (already) having a tenth hit up.”

Moeaki Fotuaika’s star is rising at the Gold Coast after another superb effort against Brisbane. Picture: Jono Searle/Getty Images

Fotuaika’s effort drew special praise from Titans coach Garth Brennan and Peats happily backed up the hype.

“He’s an unbelievable kid, got a really good attitude and really humble, you’ll barely hear him speak,” Peats said.

“He just rips in, I love playing with him and hopefully he keeps playing for us.”

Playing alongside Fotuaika is an achievement in itself for Peats, who returned from a 10-week injury lay-off during the Round 13 upset.

Gold Coast hooker Nathan Peats (centre) is a big fan of teenage teammate Moeaki Fotuakia (left) Picture: Nigel Hallet

The 28-year-old tore his pec in a March gym session and shared his frustration at being sidelined during a tough period for the club on and off the field.

“I haven’t really missed too many games since my first year at Parra where I missed the back half of the season so it was a bit disappointing,” Peats said of his injury.

“I’m just trying to work really hard to finish the year strong … and there’s plenty of games to play with 12 to go so I’m just looking forwards to it.”

Peats followed a strict rehabilitation regimen to ensure he was at peak physical condition upon his return and says he wasn’t tempted to rush back a week early against the Cowboys.

Titans assistant coach Craig Hodges at training on November 22, 2018. Picture: Gold Coast Titans

“I had some confidence because I knew I’d got through a week of contact last week,” Peats said.

“Craig Hodges our assistant coach has a one to four step stages of contact and we’ve ticked all those boxes.

“If I didn’t get those goals in the proper order, it could’ve jeopardised everything.”

With his commanding presence back on deck, Peats is eager for Gold Coast to build on their Brisbane win and turn around a season of near-misses.

Tonga coach Kristian Woolf is keen to see Fotuaika in the national colours later this year. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty Images

“We’ve been in most games, which is sort of tough to swallow because I’m not saying you’d rather get flogged but when you’re getting flogged, you sort of get pinpoint areas where you think “OK, we’ve got to change this or that”.

“But we’ve been in a lot of games right to the end which is frustrating.”

While Peats looks to knuckle down a starting berth ahead of the in-form Mitch Rein, Fotuaika’s name has already been thrown in the mix for Tongan national selection later this year.

Tonga coach Kristian Woolf has indicated Fotuaika features in his 20-man shortlist including the likes of Andrew Fifita, Jason Taumalolo and Tevita Pangai Junior.