Moeaki Fotuaika’s older brother recruiting Gold Coast teens to rugby

The older brother of Gold Coast Titans star Moeaki Fotuaika has arrived on the Gold Coast with a mission to win over the hearts and minds of local rugby league talent to rugby union.

The older brother of Titans star Moeaki Fotuaika has returned to the Gold Coast to recruit fans to his new code – rugby union.

Queensland Reds prop Feao Fotuaika, 26, attended high school at rugby league nursery Keebra Park but is back in town on a mission to convert Gold Coast teenagers to rugby union on the ‘Reds 2 Regions’ promotional tour.

Reds visiting Pimpama State Secondary College to reconnect team with fans. Players Alex Mafi, Tom Kibble and Feao Fotuaika with students. Picture Glenn Hampson

The softly spoken 135 kilogram front rower visited Ormeau Woods State High, Merrimac State High and Pimpama State Secondary College, who launch their first rugby program in 2020, on the first day of the tour.

Pimpama will join the Under-15 Super Schools Cup next year, offering competition to the school’s established rugby league and touch rugby programs for the first time.

Fotauika said the opportunities for teenagers to become involved in rugby had grown significantly since he attended school here.

“I never got the chance to play rugby when I went to Keebra,” the prop admitted.

“It’s good to come out and find new rugby programs coming up for the kids who aren’t fortunate enough to attend private schools.”

Fotuaika and teammates Alex Mafi and Tom Kibble were kept busy during their visit completing homework tasks assigned by coach Brad Thorn.

Reds visiting Pimpama State Secondary College to reconnect team with fans. Jersey presentation to the school. Picture Glenn Hampson

The Reds squad were each asked to interview a member of the communities they visited during the week before presenting their findings at a team meeting upon their return.

The players will hang jerseys symbolising those regions on the wall of the team’s inner sanctum at Ballymore so they will always be reminded of the places and people they represent during the season.

“The Reds can stay a little bit inner-city too often so it’s good for us remind ourselves that the Queensland Reds is for Queensland,” 19-year-old flanker Tom Kibble said.

“It’s connecting the guys with the community, and it’s great to see how much support for rugby there is out here.”

The Reds will return to the Gold Coast tomorrow to visit All Saints Anglican, Tweed Heads South Public School and Marymount College.