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Tino bounces into Kangaroos with third Titans top gong
Joel Gould, AAP •  September 30th, 2026 10:38 am
Tino Fa'asuamaleaui has won the Paul Broughton Medal as the Gold Coast's best in 2026 | Photo: AAP
Tino Fa'asuamaleaui has capped a sad and traumatic season by winning the Gold Coast player of the year award as he prepares to join Australia's World Cup squad.
The Paul Broughton Medal around the Titans co-captain's neck at the club's presentation night on Tuesday was a tribute to the brave and brilliant way the rampaging prop coped with the death of his father Fereti Fa'asuamaleaui.
Fa'asuamaleaui, whose dad was originally from Samoa, said he had decided to stick with the Kangaroos for the World Cup which starts next month in Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.
The 26-year-old, who has played 10 Tests for the Kangaroos after representing Samoa in 2019, was a key figure on the Ashes tour last year, helping inspire Australia to a 3-0 win over England.
Tino Fa'asuamaleaui ripped in for Queensland at the MCG after the loss of his dad | Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP
"I won a World Cup in 2022 and to get the chance to do it again and do something special would be awesome," Fa'asuamaleaui told AAP.
"It was a hard decision but growing up as a young kid, Australia was always the pinnacle in my eyes. Having just donned that jersey, I don't want to hand it over too early and too young."
Fa'asuamaleaui said he had immense respect for his Samoan heritage and one day could be back in the blue jersey.
When Fereti passed away days before this year's second State of Origin match, Tino left the Maroons' camp to grieve with his family before returning to play an awe-inspiring match at the MCG to spark a 44-24 victory.
It was a measure of the big heart of the man. Tino revealed after the match that his dad had uttered inspirational words to him on his last day.
Tino Fa'asuamaleaui will represent Australia at the Rugby League World Cup | Photo: Aaron Gillions/AAP
"He said to me, 'Son, whatever happens next, you make sure you represent Queensland and play hard'," Fa'asuamaleaui said.
He did that and went on to have a barnstorming end of the season for the Titans to win the club's prestigious Paul Broughton Medal for the third time.
Despite the team finishing a disappointing 16th, Tino held his gloves up and was a standout in the final two months of the competition.
Fereti was a Samoan international rugby player who was recruited by Arthur Beetson to play for the Sydney Roosters, then known as Eastern Suburbs, for whom he played reserve grade.
His move to Australia paved the way to start a family and Tino credits the decision as a "butterfly effect" that ultimately led to him playing in the NRL, winning a title at the Storm and becoming a Queensland and Test stalwart.
Australia coach Kevin Walters told AAP that Fa'asuamaleaui would be a key figure in the World Cup.
"He was very instrumental in the success of the tour last year with his leadership," Walters told AAP.
"That will be no different for this year's tournament at the World Cup and we are very excited to have him on board.
"I'm looking forward to working with him again. He is a good fella and a great player."
"I'm looking forward to working with him again. He is a good fella and a great player."
