Source :- THE AGE NEWS
This is perhaps the most painful case of déjà vu the Queensland Maroons have endured. Just as Cameron Munster had to comprehend the death of his father during last year’s State of Origin series, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui must do the same.
While still in camp on the Sunshine Coast, Fa’asuamaleaui fought back tears as he shared news of his dad Fereti’s cancer diagnosis – bravely declaring he would fight the disease, while paying tribute to the inspiration he had served in his life. Mere days later, Fereti lost his battle.
“He was so proud seeing Tino in a Queensland jersey with the last name on the back of the jersey and doing it proud,” Maroons hooker Harry Grant, who played alongside Fa’asuamaleaui at the Melbourne Storm, said.
“We’ve all got Tino’s back. Tino looked up to him, he really paved the way for Tino, and Tino’s continued to try and pay that back over the years. I think he’ll continue to do so, for not only his mum but his siblings as well.”
Fa’asuamaleaui did not fly to Melbourne ahead of game two with the squad, instead remaining with his family before rejoining his teammates on Monday ahead of the side’s captain’s run training session on Tuesday. It is a similar path that Munster walked 12 months ago.
When Munster’s father, Steven, passed away before the 2025 series decider, the skipper ultimately spearheaded a remarkable victory in Sydney to claim the shield.
No doubt emotions will be high for Fa’asuamaleaui as he aims to honour Fereti’s legacy and put his heartache to the side as the leader of Queensland’s forward pack.
Against a NSW engine room boosted by the comeback of Payne Haas – who missed game one with a knee injury – the Maroons already needed Fa’asuamaleaui at his best.
Munster’s advice? “Play the footy that Fereti would be proud of”.
“I’ve just let Tino be himself,” Munster said. “We’ve obviously gone through some tough times, me and him, so I know exactly how he’s feeling. You lose your mentor or an idol or role model in your family, especially your dad, it does take a heavy toll on you.
“I know Fereti will be very proud of the man he has become, and the father he’s become. I’m sure he’ll be a very proud dad up there tomorrow night, regardless of the result.
“I can sit there and talk to him and lead a horse to water as much as I want, but at the end of the day, we know what Tino’s about.”
Fa’asuamaleaui and his dad shared an inseparable bond – the former joking last week Fereti would scrutinise his game and tell him where he could be better. He regularly made the five-hour round trip between the Gold Coast and Gympie this year to be by his side.
Across the opening three rounds of the NRL season, the enforcer fielded criticism – his average 92 running metres triggering calls for him to produce more for his club. Even through that, he kept his father’s struggles private, and has returned to form – averaging 145 running metres and 32 tackles a game since then.
“He’s honestly been one of the best leaders that I’ve been under. To be there, not only for them [his family] 24/7, but be here for us as a club 24/7 really shows his characteristics as a person,” Titans lock Cooper Bai said of his club captain.
“He’s willing to put everything before himself. When people were getting up him for his numbers not being too high, we were playing to our system, and he was doing his best no matter what.
“I don’t believe he’s been out of form. He kept it pretty personal, [but] I know he was going through a lot.”
Bai has nestled himself under Fa’asuamaleaui’s wing, and said his influence had been a key factor in extending his contract through to the end of 2027, despite strong interest from the Storm.
The 19-year-old said he was yet to hear back from his fearless leader after messaging him his support, but backed him to produce an Origin display his family would cherish.
“Being our captain here at the club and the amount of effort he puts into training week-in, week-out to keep this club together and keep us moving forward … that was a big part of me staying,” Bai said.
“He’s still going to play his game, he’s one of the best middle forwards in the game and I know he’s always going to do his job for Queensland. With all this stuff in the background, I know he’s going to put a lot more into it.”
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