Titans skipper booked for surgery as ‘embarrassed’ teammates dream of better form

Titans captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is expected to have surgery to fix his ruptured ACL this week as an “embarrassed” Gold Coast side looks to pick up the pieces of a horror start to its NRL season.

Titans captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is expected to have surgery to fix his ruptured ACL this week as an “embarrassed” Gold Coast side looks to pick up the pieces of a horror start to its NRL season.

Fa’asuamaleaui has consulted with surgeons and looks set to go under the knife this week after suffering the injury Gold Coast’s 32-0 loss to Canterbury on Saturday.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 23: Tino Fa'asuamaleaui of the Titans holds his leg after a tackle during the round three NRL match between Canterbury Bulldogs and Gold Coast Titans at Belmore Sports Ground, on March 23, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Winless from their opening two games and languishing second-last on the ladder, Titans hooker Sam Verrills said the news was devastating for the whole club.

“I did mine back in 2020 so I know what he’s going through and it’s a long process,” he said.

“As a mate I’ll be there for him and help him along the way, but it’s a tough one for this club to lose such a big player.

“It’s tough when you lose any player like Tino … your captain, your leader and probably your best player on the field.”

Verrills’ words were backed by fellow prop Jaimin Jolliffe, who will likely step into a larger playing role in the coming weeks.

“He’s a big part of our team, he’s our leader, he’s our captain and we’re going to miss him.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 23: Tino Fa'asuamaleaui of the Titans is helped from the field during the round three NRL match between Canterbury Bulldogs and Gold Coast Titans at Belmore Sports Ground, on March 23, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

“He loves this club and it means so much for him to put on this jersey and to go out every week … he won’t be able to do that this year,” Jolliffe said.

“Tino probably gives you 20 hit-ups a game so there are big shoes to fill but we’ll all be working hard to get there.

“There are a few middles but as long as I’m stepping up and doing my best to try and lift this club up to win some games of footy … I know the likes of Beau (Fermor) and Keenan (Palasia) will be doing the same.”

Despite having options on the bench, the Titans are in need of drastic improvement after underwhelming performances in rounds 1 and 3.

“We have to turn it around, there is no other way … we need to play good and we haven’t been at our best,” Verrills said.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 09: Sam Verrills of the Titans is tackled during the round one NRL match between Gold Coast Titans and St George Illawarra Dragons at Cbus Super Stadium, on March 09, 2024, in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

“It’s been pretty embarrassing, I’m not going to lie.

“The last two games are unacceptable and the reviews have been tough but it’s what we need.”

Jolliffe pointed to the club’s recent game as a prime example of what’s missing.

“We had no field position and points just came off the back of that.”

But arguably one of the most experienced off-the-bench players, could this be Verrills’ chance to put on a star performance under pressure.

“It’s round four this week, not the end of the world but we need to turn it around.

It’s whatever Des wants and I’m happy to do what he wants.

“There’s a want in me to be a starting player, but I’m happy to come off the bench at the moment and do what’s best for the team,” he said.

Originally published as Titans skipper booked for surgery as ‘embarrassed’ teammates dream of better form