Latest news with #Fotuaika
The Advertiser
22-07-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Titans in more pain with skipper out for a month
Gold Coast's quest to win coach Des Hasler's 500th NRL match as a mentor just got much harder. Captain and prop Tino Fa'asuamaleaui will miss Saturday's away clash against the Warriors with a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury suffered in the 21-20 loss to Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday. The last-placed Titans are looking down the barrel of a third wooden spoon in their 18-year history and the loss of the Test and Queensland forward is the last thing they needed. Prop Moeaki Fotuaika said it was up to his teammates to lift in Hasler's milestone game. "I spoke to Tino this morning and he is in high spirits but obviously disappointed," Fotuaika said on Tuesday. "He is our captain and he is a massive loss. A few of us are going to have to step up." The Titans lost to the Tigers with 17 seconds remaining courtesy of an Adam Doueihi field goal after they led 20-16 in the 77th minute. They played what Hasler called "dumb football" and paid the price. "It was a tough one to take after we got so close. I thought we defended our tryline well but ill-discipline got us in the end," Fotuaika said. "We take confidence out of it. We have just got to stick together. We are going to New Zealand where we will spend a couple of days together so it is a good time to regroup against the Warriors." Video has circulated of Hasler giving his players a vitriolic dressing down in the sheds after the game, displeased with their attitude after throwing away the win. Fotuaika was asked about the coach's spray and said it was understandable. "Obviously it was disappointing getting so close," he said. "You can imagine what the feeling is in the sheds after a game like that." Fotuaika was dropped from the Queensland side for the State of Origin decider, won 24-12 by the Maroons, after playing the opening two games of the series. It has been a roller coaster ride for the front-rower over the past six weeks. "As much as it was disappointing missing out on game three it was probably a blessing in disguise for me," he said. "I had a newborn a week before game one and that Origin period takes a lot out of you, travelling and being away from family. "That week (of game three) was our bye week so I caught up with family and friends. I did go down to Sydney on the Wednesday night and to see them get the result was pleasing for me and added motivation for me to get back in that arena." Gold Coast's quest to win coach Des Hasler's 500th NRL match as a mentor just got much harder. Captain and prop Tino Fa'asuamaleaui will miss Saturday's away clash against the Warriors with a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury suffered in the 21-20 loss to Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday. The last-placed Titans are looking down the barrel of a third wooden spoon in their 18-year history and the loss of the Test and Queensland forward is the last thing they needed. Prop Moeaki Fotuaika said it was up to his teammates to lift in Hasler's milestone game. "I spoke to Tino this morning and he is in high spirits but obviously disappointed," Fotuaika said on Tuesday. "He is our captain and he is a massive loss. A few of us are going to have to step up." The Titans lost to the Tigers with 17 seconds remaining courtesy of an Adam Doueihi field goal after they led 20-16 in the 77th minute. They played what Hasler called "dumb football" and paid the price. "It was a tough one to take after we got so close. I thought we defended our tryline well but ill-discipline got us in the end," Fotuaika said. "We take confidence out of it. We have just got to stick together. We are going to New Zealand where we will spend a couple of days together so it is a good time to regroup against the Warriors." Video has circulated of Hasler giving his players a vitriolic dressing down in the sheds after the game, displeased with their attitude after throwing away the win. Fotuaika was asked about the coach's spray and said it was understandable. "Obviously it was disappointing getting so close," he said. "You can imagine what the feeling is in the sheds after a game like that." Fotuaika was dropped from the Queensland side for the State of Origin decider, won 24-12 by the Maroons, after playing the opening two games of the series. It has been a roller coaster ride for the front-rower over the past six weeks. "As much as it was disappointing missing out on game three it was probably a blessing in disguise for me," he said. "I had a newborn a week before game one and that Origin period takes a lot out of you, travelling and being away from family. "That week (of game three) was our bye week so I caught up with family and friends. I did go down to Sydney on the Wednesday night and to see them get the result was pleasing for me and added motivation for me to get back in that arena." Gold Coast's quest to win coach Des Hasler's 500th NRL match as a mentor just got much harder. Captain and prop Tino Fa'asuamaleaui will miss Saturday's away clash against the Warriors with a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury suffered in the 21-20 loss to Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday. The last-placed Titans are looking down the barrel of a third wooden spoon in their 18-year history and the loss of the Test and Queensland forward is the last thing they needed. Prop Moeaki Fotuaika said it was up to his teammates to lift in Hasler's milestone game. "I spoke to Tino this morning and he is in high spirits but obviously disappointed," Fotuaika said on Tuesday. "He is our captain and he is a massive loss. A few of us are going to have to step up." The Titans lost to the Tigers with 17 seconds remaining courtesy of an Adam Doueihi field goal after they led 20-16 in the 77th minute. They played what Hasler called "dumb football" and paid the price. "It was a tough one to take after we got so close. I thought we defended our tryline well but ill-discipline got us in the end," Fotuaika said. "We take confidence out of it. We have just got to stick together. We are going to New Zealand where we will spend a couple of days together so it is a good time to regroup against the Warriors." Video has circulated of Hasler giving his players a vitriolic dressing down in the sheds after the game, displeased with their attitude after throwing away the win. Fotuaika was asked about the coach's spray and said it was understandable. "Obviously it was disappointing getting so close," he said. "You can imagine what the feeling is in the sheds after a game like that." Fotuaika was dropped from the Queensland side for the State of Origin decider, won 24-12 by the Maroons, after playing the opening two games of the series. It has been a roller coaster ride for the front-rower over the past six weeks. "As much as it was disappointing missing out on game three it was probably a blessing in disguise for me," he said. "I had a newborn a week before game one and that Origin period takes a lot out of you, travelling and being away from family. "That week (of game three) was our bye week so I caught up with family and friends. I did go down to Sydney on the Wednesday night and to see them get the result was pleasing for me and added motivation for me to get back in that arena."
The Advertiser
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Maroons prop's Origin plea for refs to 'let it slide'
Moeaki Fotuaika has urged officials to "let a few slide" when addressing how the NRL's high-shot crackdown might impact the State of Origin opener. The Gold Coast prop has been named to start alongside clubmate Tino Faasuamaleaui in Wednesday's first game in Brisbane. And, on the back of a series-deciding loss at Suncorp Stadium last year, the pair have made a pact to "lay the foundation" with physical defence. Complicating that is the fact there has never been a greater NRL focus on high contact. There were a record 18 sin-bins recorded in one round earlier this year with the Titans, at the time, the most penalised team for high-contact indiscretions. Ahead of his 10th appearance for Queensland, Fotuaika said there was a need to manage aggression but also a hope the Origin arena would be adjudicated differently to club level. "Controlling that aggression ... sometimes you can go a bit over the top," he said on Thursday from camp on the Sunshine Coast. "Hoping, because it's an Origin game, they can sort of let a few slide. "If it's a penalty game, obviously the spectators aren't going to enjoy that part. "I'm sure the refs will work around that." Faasuamaleaui missed last year's series with a long-term knee injury and, boasting three series wins from his four campaigns, looms as a difference maker in 2025. "He's definitely influential," Fotuaika said. "His presence; he's a big lad, when you have him beside you in that defensive line you have more confidence. "It makes us a lot better. "When Tino got the call on Sunday, after the Canberra game, he looked over at me and gave me the nod that I was getting the call after him. "When Billy told me I would be starting alongside the big fella I was excited. "Me and Tino have spoken about it. We want to lay the foundation for this team. We all know what we have to do." Tough-as-nails North Queensland forward Reuben Cotter is in the same boat, taking last year's State of Origin series loss personally after the pack was outgunned in the second and third games. Cotter has been named in the backrow but will likely spend time in the middle as he has in previous campaigns. Tom Gilbert's pectoral injury will rule him out for a second-straight year, coach Billy Slater instead calling on rookies Trent Loiero and Beau Fermor to match it with the Blues. "I dare say I'll find myself in the middle at some stage," Cotter told AAP. "We're up for the fight for sure, with some troops back. "Tino's a huge addition. Big Lindsay's (Collins) going good ... all our forwards are playing some good footy and it's good to have some size. "Definitely we take it personally; we keep the focus on us, dial in, but nobody wants to lose at home." Fullback Kalyn Ponga (leg) is yet to train fully with the squad but Fotuaika has no doubt he'll play next week. Moeaki Fotuaika has urged officials to "let a few slide" when addressing how the NRL's high-shot crackdown might impact the State of Origin opener. The Gold Coast prop has been named to start alongside clubmate Tino Faasuamaleaui in Wednesday's first game in Brisbane. And, on the back of a series-deciding loss at Suncorp Stadium last year, the pair have made a pact to "lay the foundation" with physical defence. Complicating that is the fact there has never been a greater NRL focus on high contact. There were a record 18 sin-bins recorded in one round earlier this year with the Titans, at the time, the most penalised team for high-contact indiscretions. Ahead of his 10th appearance for Queensland, Fotuaika said there was a need to manage aggression but also a hope the Origin arena would be adjudicated differently to club level. "Controlling that aggression ... sometimes you can go a bit over the top," he said on Thursday from camp on the Sunshine Coast. "Hoping, because it's an Origin game, they can sort of let a few slide. "If it's a penalty game, obviously the spectators aren't going to enjoy that part. "I'm sure the refs will work around that." Faasuamaleaui missed last year's series with a long-term knee injury and, boasting three series wins from his four campaigns, looms as a difference maker in 2025. "He's definitely influential," Fotuaika said. "His presence; he's a big lad, when you have him beside you in that defensive line you have more confidence. "It makes us a lot better. "When Tino got the call on Sunday, after the Canberra game, he looked over at me and gave me the nod that I was getting the call after him. "When Billy told me I would be starting alongside the big fella I was excited. "Me and Tino have spoken about it. We want to lay the foundation for this team. We all know what we have to do." Tough-as-nails North Queensland forward Reuben Cotter is in the same boat, taking last year's State of Origin series loss personally after the pack was outgunned in the second and third games. Cotter has been named in the backrow but will likely spend time in the middle as he has in previous campaigns. Tom Gilbert's pectoral injury will rule him out for a second-straight year, coach Billy Slater instead calling on rookies Trent Loiero and Beau Fermor to match it with the Blues. "I dare say I'll find myself in the middle at some stage," Cotter told AAP. "We're up for the fight for sure, with some troops back. "Tino's a huge addition. Big Lindsay's (Collins) going good ... all our forwards are playing some good footy and it's good to have some size. "Definitely we take it personally; we keep the focus on us, dial in, but nobody wants to lose at home." Fullback Kalyn Ponga (leg) is yet to train fully with the squad but Fotuaika has no doubt he'll play next week. Moeaki Fotuaika has urged officials to "let a few slide" when addressing how the NRL's high-shot crackdown might impact the State of Origin opener. The Gold Coast prop has been named to start alongside clubmate Tino Faasuamaleaui in Wednesday's first game in Brisbane. And, on the back of a series-deciding loss at Suncorp Stadium last year, the pair have made a pact to "lay the foundation" with physical defence. Complicating that is the fact there has never been a greater NRL focus on high contact. There were a record 18 sin-bins recorded in one round earlier this year with the Titans, at the time, the most penalised team for high-contact indiscretions. Ahead of his 10th appearance for Queensland, Fotuaika said there was a need to manage aggression but also a hope the Origin arena would be adjudicated differently to club level. "Controlling that aggression ... sometimes you can go a bit over the top," he said on Thursday from camp on the Sunshine Coast. "Hoping, because it's an Origin game, they can sort of let a few slide. "If it's a penalty game, obviously the spectators aren't going to enjoy that part. "I'm sure the refs will work around that." Faasuamaleaui missed last year's series with a long-term knee injury and, boasting three series wins from his four campaigns, looms as a difference maker in 2025. "He's definitely influential," Fotuaika said. "His presence; he's a big lad, when you have him beside you in that defensive line you have more confidence. "It makes us a lot better. "When Tino got the call on Sunday, after the Canberra game, he looked over at me and gave me the nod that I was getting the call after him. "When Billy told me I would be starting alongside the big fella I was excited. "Me and Tino have spoken about it. We want to lay the foundation for this team. We all know what we have to do." Tough-as-nails North Queensland forward Reuben Cotter is in the same boat, taking last year's State of Origin series loss personally after the pack was outgunned in the second and third games. Cotter has been named in the backrow but will likely spend time in the middle as he has in previous campaigns. Tom Gilbert's pectoral injury will rule him out for a second-straight year, coach Billy Slater instead calling on rookies Trent Loiero and Beau Fermor to match it with the Blues. "I dare say I'll find myself in the middle at some stage," Cotter told AAP. "We're up for the fight for sure, with some troops back. "Tino's a huge addition. Big Lindsay's (Collins) going good ... all our forwards are playing some good footy and it's good to have some size. "Definitely we take it personally; we keep the focus on us, dial in, but nobody wants to lose at home." Fullback Kalyn Ponga (leg) is yet to train fully with the squad but Fotuaika has no doubt he'll play next week.
West Australian
22-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Maroons prop's Origin plea for refs to 'let it slide'
Moeaki Fotuaika has urged officials to "let a few slide" when addressing how the NRL's high-shot crackdown might impact the State of Origin opener. The Gold Coast prop has been named to start alongside clubmate Tino Faasuamaleaui in Wednesday's first game in Brisbane. And, on the back of a series-deciding loss at Suncorp Stadium last year, the pair have made a pact to "lay the foundation" with physical defence. Complicating that is the fact there has never been a greater NRL focus on high contact. There were a record 18 sin-bins recorded in one round earlier this year with the Titans, at the time, the most penalised team for high-contact indiscretions. Ahead of his 10th appearance for Queensland, Fotuaika said there was a need to manage aggression but also a hope the Origin arena would be adjudicated differently to club level. "Controlling that aggression ... sometimes you can go a bit over the top," he said on Thursday from camp on the Sunshine Coast. "Hoping, because it's an Origin game, they can sort of let a few slide. "If it's a penalty game, obviously the spectators aren't going to enjoy that part. "I'm sure the refs will work around that." Faasuamaleaui missed last year's series with a long-term knee injury and, boasting three series wins from his four campaigns, looms as a difference maker in 2025. "He's definitely influential," Fotuaika said. "His presence; he's a big lad, when you have him beside you in that defensive line you have more confidence. "It makes us a lot better. "When Tino got the call on Sunday, after the Canberra game, he looked over at me and gave me the nod that I was getting the call after him. "When Billy told me I would be starting alongside the big fella I was excited. "Me and Tino have spoken about it. We want to lay the foundation for this team. We all know what we have to do." Tough-as-nails North Queensland forward Reuben Cotter is in the same boat, taking last year's State of Origin series loss personally after the pack was outgunned in the second and third games. Cotter has been named in the backrow but will likely spend time in the middle as he has in previous campaigns. Tom Gilbert's pectoral injury will rule him out for a second-straight year, coach Billy Slater instead calling on rookies Trent Loiero and Beau Fermor to match it with the Blues. "I dare say I'll find myself in the middle at some stage," Cotter told AAP. "We're up for the fight for sure, with some troops back. "Tino's a huge addition. Big Lindsay's (Collins) going good ... all our forwards are playing some good footy and it's good to have some size. "Definitely we take it personally; we keep the focus on us, dial in, but nobody wants to lose at home." Fullback Kalyn Ponga (leg) is yet to train fully with the squad but Fotuaika has no doubt he'll play next week.
Perth Now
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Maroons prop's Origin plea for refs to 'let it slide'
Moeaki Fotuaika has urged officials to "let a few slide" when addressing how the NRL's high-shot crackdown might impact the State of Origin opener. The Gold Coast prop has been named to start alongside clubmate Tino Faasuamaleaui in Wednesday's first game in Brisbane. And, on the back of a series-deciding loss at Suncorp Stadium last year, the pair have made a pact to "lay the foundation" with physical defence. Complicating that is the fact there has never been a greater NRL focus on high contact. There were a record 18 sin-bins recorded in one round earlier this year with the Titans, at the time, the most penalised team for high-contact indiscretions. Ahead of his 10th appearance for Queensland, Fotuaika said there was a need to manage aggression but also a hope the Origin arena would be adjudicated differently to club level. "Controlling that aggression ... sometimes you can go a bit over the top," he said on Thursday from camp on the Sunshine Coast. "Hoping, because it's an Origin game, they can sort of let a few slide. "If it's a penalty game, obviously the spectators aren't going to enjoy that part. "I'm sure the refs will work around that." Faasuamaleaui missed last year's series with a long-term knee injury and, boasting three series wins from his four campaigns, looms as a difference maker in 2025. "He's definitely influential," Fotuaika said. "His presence; he's a big lad, when you have him beside you in that defensive line you have more confidence. "It makes us a lot better. "When Tino got the call on Sunday, after the Canberra game, he looked over at me and gave me the nod that I was getting the call after him. "When Billy told me I would be starting alongside the big fella I was excited. "Me and Tino have spoken about it. We want to lay the foundation for this team. We all know what we have to do." Tough-as-nails North Queensland forward Reuben Cotter is in the same boat, taking last year's State of Origin series loss personally after the pack was outgunned in the second and third games. Cotter has been named in the backrow but will likely spend time in the middle as he has in previous campaigns. Tom Gilbert's pectoral injury will rule him out for a second-straight year, coach Billy Slater instead calling on rookies Trent Loiero and Beau Fermor to match it with the Blues. "I dare say I'll find myself in the middle at some stage," Cotter told AAP. "We're up for the fight for sure, with some troops back. "Tino's a huge addition. Big Lindsay's (Collins) going good ... all our forwards are playing some good footy and it's good to have some size. "Definitely we take it personally; we keep the focus on us, dial in, but nobody wants to lose at home." Fullback Kalyn Ponga (leg) is yet to train fully with the squad but Fotuaika has no doubt he'll play next week.
