‘Dad wanted me to do this’: Tino fires for Maroons
Joel Gould |
Tino Fa’asumaleaui honoured advice from his father on the last day of his life when he led up front to inspire Queensland to a comeback State of Origin victory.
The Maroons prop was enormous in their 44-24 win over the Blues at the MCG on Wednesday night to send the series to a decider in Brisbane.
Fa’asuamaleaui played just days after his father Fereti died following a battle with cancer.
“It wasn’t hard because I knew my dad wanted me to do this and he sacrificed a lot for me growing up,” Tino said in the Maroons sheds.
“His last day on earth he told me, ‘son, whatever happens next, you make sure you represent Queensland and play hard’. That meant so much.
“While it was hard for him not watching me I know he had the best seat in the house tonight watching that game and he will be really proud.”
Tino’s mum Dianne, sister Olivia and brother Iszac were amongst family members who watched his stellar performance at the MCG.
The family designed a shirt that had a smiling Fereti and “number one Queenslander” written on the front.
Fereti was a rugby union star before joining Sydney Roosters and playing lower grades at the behest of Maroons legend Arthur Beetson.
“To see my dad’s smile on that T-shirt means so much,” Tino said.
“He played for Toa Samoa and travelled the world playing sevens and accomplished a lot for a young boy from Samoa … and then to get picked up by Arthur Beetson was a full-circle moment.
“Arthur Beetson was our number one Queensland player.”
Tino carries a heavy burden but wants to be the leader he is on the field for his family.
“I am just heartbroken for my family and my mum who are going through what they are going through at the moment,” he said.
“I have got to make sure I step up and lead and make sure I do my thing and put a smile on everyone’s face.”
Fa’asuamaleaui’s teammates lifted, as they did for captain Cameron Munster in last year’s Origin decider after his father Steven had died during camp.
“To see what Munster went through last year broke my heart so we all got around him and that is exactly what the boys and Billy (Slater) did for me,” Fa’asuamaleaui said.
“When I got into camp they all wrapped their arms around me. Some of the boys wrote my name and my old name’s name on their wrist tonight.
“I love these boys. They are like my brothers and I appreciate every single one of them. I had my dad’s last name on my back. Whenever I look at this jersey I see his last name and I hope I represented him really well tonight.”
The Maroons did that and then some, rising from a 10-point deficit to wipe the floor with the Blues.
“It was a good Queensland win,” Fa’asuamaleaui said.
“When we get our game on we know what we are capable of. We kept going and kept going and the Queensland spirit got us home.”
AAP