State of Origin 2020: Wayne Bennett unveils final Queensland Maroons squad
Queensland are set to field the most inexperienced team in State of Origin history and among the debutants is Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, who knocked back big international interest.
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Queensland have scored a major Origin coup with Melbourne monster Tino Fa’asuamaleaui rejecting England and pledging his allegiance to the Maroons ahead of Sunday night’s grand final against Penrith.
As he prepares for his maiden NRL decider, Fa’asuamaleaui revealed he held little-known ties to England, but has brushed the Poms in his desire to be part of Wayne Bennett’s injury-ravaged Maroons team for next month’s Origin series.
The 20-year-old wrecking ball also opened up about his decision to quit the Broncos as a teenager to chase his NRL dreams at the Storm, who play their ninth grand-final in 15 seasons against Penrith at Homebush.
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Fa’asuamaleaui has been one of the forward discoveries of the season and the 112kg powerhouse would have been a selection certainty for England or Samoa, the birthplace of his father, at next year’s World Cup.
But the Gympie giant’s heart is with Queensland, with Fa’asuamaleaui to be named in the Maroons’ squad for his Origin debut in a fortnight if he comes through unscathed for the Storm on Sunday night.
“I am eligible for England and Samoa, but I’ve chosen Queensland,” said Fa’asuamaleaui, who made his Test debut for Samoa last year.
“Not many people know this but I have English heritage on my mum’s side.
“My pop is a Pom, all his family are in England and he actually moved to Australia when he was younger.
“But I’ve always felt in my heart that I am a Queenslander.”
New Maroons coach Bennett is set to name Fa’asuamaleaui on his bench for Origin I on November 4 at Adelaide Oval.
The 190cm back-rower or prop has played just 26 NRL games, but insists he will not be out of his depth in the Origin arena and is keen to prove it by dominating Penrith’s pack in the NRL decider.
“Hopefully I can play well in the grand final this week to convince Queensland I am ready to play in that arena,” he said.
“I could play for England but I was raised in Queensland and I have played for Queensland rep teams. I love the state of Queensland, it’s the best state ever and I want to put on that Maroon jersey for my family.
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“It would be a dream come true to play Origin. If I get the opportunity I will take it with two hands and I won’t let Queensland down.”
Fa’asuamaleaui joined the Storm two years ago after Melbourne outbid the Broncos, who had outlaid more than $3 million to sign fellow forward Payne Haas to a six-year deal.
Big Tino has signed for the Titans next season and wants to repay the Storm with a premiership performance for showing faith in him as a teenage unknown at the Broncos.
“The Broncos were interested in me but they weren’t fully convinced about me. The Storm were more interested and they showed that they cared,” he said.
“Growing up I always wanted to play at the Broncos and thought that I would and I dreamt about it, but when I was off-contract, the Storm were one of a few clubs to show interest.
“After meeting with Craig Bellamy, I was definitely choosing the Storm.
“They have a great family culture and it’s been the best choice of my life – hopefully I can help them to a premiership.”
MOST INEXPERIENCED SIDE IN MAROONS HISTORY
Broncos rejects Jaydn Su’A, Dunamis Lui and Corey Allan have edged towards State of Origin debuts after becoming the latest additions to Queensland’s squad for next month’s series.
Maroons coach Wayne Bennett on Wednesday added three South Sydney players - Su’A, Allan and Dane Gagai - along with Canberra duo Lui and Josh Papalii to Queensland’s squad.
Bennett has now named 21 players for Queensland’s 27-man squad.
Melbourne’s Cameron Munster, Brenko Lee, Christian Welch, Felise Kaufusi and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui will make up the remaining members along with Penrith’s Kurt Capewell after Sunday’s NRL grand final.
Su’A and Lui made their NRL debuts for the Broncos before heading to rival clubs while Allan has been a standout for the Rabbitohs in 2020 after cutting his teeth in Brisbane.
Allan is not eligible for selection in Game One in Adelaide on November 4 due to suspension, but Bennett said the winger-fullback had been a revelation in the back end of the season.
“Corey has played with confidence, I can’t give him a big enough wrap for the way he played at the back end of the season,” Bennett said.
“To be honest, I didn’t think he would make it when I coached him at the Broncos (in 2018). He probably needed to grow up and he has here at Souths.
“Corey has improved with his fitness and confidence in himself.
“The Rabbitohs have been very good for him as a club, there’s a good group of guys here and Corey has really gelled with them. He feels part of the place here which is important.
“He has always had a good skill set but he is playing with more self-belief.”
Su’A, 22, was a star on the rise for Brisbane after debuting in 2016, but he fell out-of-favour with former Broncos coach Anthony Seibold last year and was released mid-season to the Rabbitohs to reunite with Bennett.
The hard-hitting backrower has been one of the NRL’s most improved players this year and is in line for a starting berth against the Blues in Adelaide.
Lui, 30, debuted for the Broncos in 2010 and has quietly gone about racking up 158 NRL appearances in the front row for Brisbane, Manly, St George Illawarra and Canberra.
Gagai (13 Origins) and Papalii (15 Origins) are Queensland regulars and will be in the starting side for Game One.
Bennett has now named 14 Origin rookies in his 21-man squad and will add another three untested players as Queensland faces fielding one of the least experienced teams in Origin history.
The Maroons will go into camp on the Gold Coast from Sunday, with Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga joining Bennett’s support staff after being given clearance by the NRL.
The six grand final representative will join Camp Maroon next week.