Queensland enforcer Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is one of the game’s best forwards and credits one inspiring statement by Wayne Bennett as a turning point in his career.
The Gold Coast captain is set to play his 11th straight State of Origin game at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night after debuting for the Maroons as a 20-year-old under Bennett in 2020.
Fa’asuamaleaui had won the 2020 grand final with Melbourne in his first full season of NRL and celebrated with the Storm on the Sunshine Coast, where they had been in camp for the COVID-impacted season.
He then made his way into camp with Bennett’s Maroons for the November series.
“The first time I came across Wayne in camp he said, ‘It’s been a while since I’ve seen you’,” Fa’asuamaleaui told AAP.
“The last time I’d seen him before that was when I was at the Broncos as a 16-year-old before I joined the Storm.
“The next thing he said was, ‘You will be our Queensland 13 son’ … and then he walked away.
“That moment made me feel like I was 10 feet tall. When Wayne said that I felt amazing. I couldn’t believe I was going to be in the starting team.”
Fa’asuamaleaui played a starring role in a 2-1 series win, as he did in last year’s series for Queensland. Even three years on, talking about Bennett’s faith in him leaves the giant prop misty eyed.
“I can’t thank Wayne enough. It was massive for me and I still get a bit emotional about it,” Fa’asuamaleaui said.
“As a young fella I had won a comp with the Storm boys but then being called into camp I just thought I would be a squad member and get some experience for the future.
“Wayne told me I was the starting 13 and it did wonders for my belief. It was a real turning point in my career.
“I was excited to get out there to represent him, the boys around me and the state.
“That was my mentality after that. I didn’t want to let him down and we had a good series.
“I love Wayne as a person and love him as a coach. That’s the same way I feel now about Billy (Slater) giving me the opportunity.”
Fa’asuamaleaui credits his 2020 Origin experience with giving him the confidence and leadership skills to become Titans captain.
It also gave him the realisation he must continue to deliver for Queensland.
“Hopefully I can do the job on Wednesday night and continue that,” Fa’asuamaleaui said.
“Having that first experience in Origin and winning … and being around all the players and the coaches, I will never forget.
“Mal Meninga and Neil Henry coached in that camp. I learnt so much. What I went through has helped me in tough times on the field as I play more Origin games.”
