Broncos lost Queensland’s best forward since Petero Civoniceva when Tino Fa’asuamaleaui joined Melbourne
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has been a breakout star in Melbourne and is a marquee signing for the Gold Coast, but he slipped through the cracks at Brisbane, who lost the man dubbed the new Petero Civoniceva.
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Storm sensation Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is on track to become Queensland’s next Petero Civoniceva after quitting the Broncos to launch his NRL career in Melbourne.
Fa’asuamaleaui will be back to haunt Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night when the Storm look to sink the boot into the battling Broncos.
The 197cm and 115kg forward has been one of Melbourne’s breakout players this season ahead of a $2 million move to the Gold Coast Titans next year.
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Fa‘asuamaleaui has played juniors for Queensland and said it was his dream to pull on a Maroons Origin jersey.
“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,” he said.
“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.
“Sonny Bill Williams was my hero growing up but as for Queensland guys, I really enjoyed watching Petero Civoniceva and Billy Slater.
“I still have time this year to prove myself, my focus is getting through each week, playing well and staying healthy.”
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 the Storm this season to prove he is a genuine star in the making.
His form has not gone unnoticed, with Maroons coach Kevin Walters confirming Fa’asuamaleaui is in the mix to make his State of Origin debut in this year’s November series.
“Tino has been really impressive for the Storm, I have been really impressed with his start to the season,” Walters said.
“He is in a really good system at the Storm so he has some really good habits around what he does on and off the field.
“With the Origin series at the end of the year, it is giving our younger guys like Tino and Kalyn Ponga an extra 10 or 20 games in the NRL to learn their craft and be more seasoned NRL players.
“Tino is a massive fella but he is also athletic for a big forward which suits the game the way it is being played today. 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.
“Tino is certainly on the radar for me. It’s still a few months down the track so I don’t know who will be in the team but he would certainly be a great addition off the bench for us with his size. Everyone is now aware of his talent and he is progressing nicely.”
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, Fa’asuamaleaui lured south by the opportunity to train under super coach Craig Bellamy and play alongside some of the NRL’s best.
Despite rating him highly, the Storm could not compete with the Gold Coast‘s $650,000-a-season offer for Fa’asuamaleaui and he has been tipped to become one of Queensland’s next top props.
“Tino will be Queensland’s best forward since Petero Civoniceva,” said Fa’asuamaleaui’s long-time manager Simon Mammino.
“He has a wonderful work ethic and will not get complacent in his career. He is totally dedicated to succeeding as an NRL player and I believe it is only a matter of time before he plays Origin.
“Tino was contracted to the Broncos but when he came off-contract, he wanted to weigh up what was best for his education.
“The Broncos weren’t totally convinced about him and then Melbourne came into the picture and he liked the idea of being coached by Craig Bellamy and training alongside Cameron Smith and Cameron Munster.
“He was chased by several clubs, including the Roosters, but the lure of being in the Storm system was too good to refuse.
“Tino was in Brisbane’s development squad and they contracted him initially after the under-15s national championships.
“When the Broncos found out about Melbourne, they came late with an offer for a spot in Brisbane’s full-time squad, but the offer from the Storm was more attractive and Tino believed he could develop there.”
Fa’asuamaleaui cuts an imposing figure on the field and is only going to get better.
He also believes he hasn’t stopped growing and could become even bigger and stronger as he develops in the top grade.
“I have learned what’s required to be an NRL player at the Storm, I am putting into practice in training and transferring it to the game,” he said.
“The coaches reckon I’m still growing so we’ll see how big I get.
“I am 115kg at the moment and I’m happy at that weight. I don’t want to get too much bigger, my speed for a big guy is one of my weapons so I want to keep that.
“With the new rules, you can‘t be too heavy as a forward or you get found out, it’s important I stay light on my feet.”