Origin 2022: Maroons star Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has vowed to win back the faith of Queensland

The Maroons were embarrassed in last year’s Origin series, but star forward Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has vowed to win back the support of Queensland. CHECK OUT THE NEW JERSEY.

Maroons star Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has vowed to win back the faith of Queensland in this year’s State of Origin series after the horror of 2021.

Fa’asuamaleaui has been chosen to model Queensland’s 2022 Origin jersey, which will be released on Wednesday, ahead of his third series with the Maroons.

With Queensland legend Billy Slater taking over the coaching duties, optimism is high that the Maroons can win back the shield after suffering one of their worst series losses in Origin history last year.

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Tino Fa'asuamaleaui models Queensland's new jersey. Credit: QRL.

They were thumped 50-6 in Game One, Queensland’s heaviest ever defeat, and surrendered the shield with a 26-0 loss in Origin II, the first time the Maroons had ever been held scoreless at Suncorp Stadium.

The Maroons won back some respect with a dead-rubber triumph against the Blues but the damage had been done and newly-minted Gold Coast Titans captain Fa’asuamaleaui said the Queensland team had work to do.

“It’s so painful (to think about),” he said.

“I felt like I let Queensland down. I really want to get in that jersey again and make the Queensland people proud.

“To lose like that hurt a lot. I want to get back on the field and make everyone proud again.

“We need to start well. They got the jump on us in the first two games. Hopefully I can make sure that doesn’t happen again.”

The Maroons were embarrassed 50-6 in Townsville last year.

Fa’asuamaleaui is set to make his first appearance of the year when the Titans face the Warriors at Redcliffe on Saturday in their last pre-season trial game.

He suffered a medial ligament knee injury before Christmas but has recovered and is ready to lead the Titans in his first year as captain.

Fa’asuamaleaui, 22, is hoping to get the Titans off to a strong start before earning Queensland selection for the Origin series-opener at Stadium Australia on June 8.

And he can’t wait to pull on the new Maroons jersey after featuring in a promotion alongside Queensland Origin greats Paul Vautin, Trevor Gillmeister and Brent Tate.

Vautin was the coach behind Queensland’s memorable 1995 series and Fa’asuamaleaui struck up a connection with “Fatty”.

“The jersey is all maroon and I love the Maroons,” he said.

Fa'asuamaleaui had a happier Origin debut series in 2020.

“It’s like a family to me. Queensland means so much to me.

“I want to get out there, put the jersey on and represent the amazing people of this state as well as the past and present players.

“It meant a lot (to meet Vautin). I’d only met him once before so to meet him again and actually talk to him was pretty cool.

“He is a Queensland legend and knows a lot about rugby league. To pick his brain was cool.

“We talked about the things I need to improve in my game. He said he loved the way I played and to keep working hard doing the little efforts for the team.”