After months of speculation, it has finally been confirmed that Tino Fa’asuamaleaui will captain the Gold Coast Titans from 2022.
The 21-year-old was given the honour by Coach Justin Holbrook, who has described the young gun as a “natural leader”.
It comes just months after the star forward received the Paul Broughton Medal for player of the year in 2021.
“Growing up, I never thought I’d ever be an NRL player, let alone a NRL captain,” Fa’asuamaleaui said.
“To be selected as a captain is pretty amazing and I just want to lead the boys and do the best I can.
“It’s humbling I am able to represent my family and represent this great club and hopefully strive for something massive in the future.
“It’s hard to explain. I just never thought it would happen.”
“Tino is a natural leader and he has been that with us since he first arrived at the Club,” Holbrook said.
“He sets such high standards and I love that about Tino.
“He is someone who leads with his actions, he demands a lot of himself and others and they are great qualities in a captain.”
Holbrook said Tino is part of an “exciting new wave” of Titans that are “invested in bringing success to the Coast”.
“He’s a player that has great respect from his peers, including our senior players like Kevin Proctor, Isaac Liu and Corey Thompson,” Holbrook said.
PHOTO: Gold Coast Titans
Titans CEO Steve Mitchell echoed the words of coach Justin Holbrook, saying Fa’asuamaleaui embodies “what it means to be a Titan”.
“As a club we work to make our communities proud, to inspire them with energy and ultimately unite them through success.
“Tino is the embodiment of this and our value set, whether he is in a Titans jersey or out in our great community.
“He sets high standards around our core behaviours when it comes to our Club values and his work ethic is phenomenal.
“We’re confident that Tino will be a wonderful leader for our Club and we’re delighted for him and his family that he will get the opportunity this season.”
The nod comes after Fa’asuamaleaui re-signed with the Titans at the end of last year, in a deal that will see him remain on the Gold Coast until the end of the 2026 season.
Fa’asuamaleaui says his ultimate aim is to help secure the Titans’ first-ever NRL premiership and has every confidence about the 2022 season.
“It’s going to be massive to us and that’s our goal here this year. That’s going to be our goal every year to win that trophy.
“As long as we keep getting better each game, each week and each year, that’s the main thing.
