Props to you: Titans skipper backs Fotuaika to step up

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has backed his Titans teammate Moeaki Fotuaika’s retention in the Queensland side, saying he is an underrated member of the squad who was looking for redemption in Game Two.

While Queensland’s entire forward pack came under scrutiny for their inability to match the aggression and intent from the Blues, Maroons coach Billy Slater resisted outside calls to elevate firebrand Corey Horsburgh into the starting pack, with Fotuaika in the firing line of the critics.

“He does all the little things that people don't see,” Fa’asuamaleaui said of his fellow Maroons front rower.

“Obviously, people look at the big plays, the big hits, and probably think that's why they should be in teams; but Moeaki’s a player that's going to give you an 8 out of 10 every game and he does his job.

“We (all) weren't perfect in areas (in Game One), not just Moe, even myself, all of us; so we know that and we're going to regroup as a team, connect up, find our game and make sure we're ready next Wednesday.”

While Fa’asuamaleaui finished Game One as one of the few Queensland forwards with positive attacking stats including running over 100 run metres, Fotuaika was one who struggled to produce the desired go-forward. As such, Fotuaika was grateful for the opportunity to make amends.

“It's always good to be back in camp, see the boys, see some new faces; especially after Game One,” Fotuaika said.

“It’s just getting the chance to be back in there and redeem ourselves and also for myself with my personal performance and as a team too.

“(For my improvements to work on) probably just more involvements, but that's just not carrying the ball, it’s also supporting my teammates without the ball.

“I just felt like I didn't really have an impact as much as I wanted, so that's something that I want to get better at.

“I'm always grateful to be in this camp and to put on this jersey whenever I get the chance.

“I don't want to take it for granted because you never know the last time you'll put this jersey on.

“Every time I put this jersey on, I want to perform to my best and being in this camp too, I want to soak it all up because as I said before, you don't know when your last chance may be.”

Grateful is a word that also applies to Fa’asuamaleaui, whose return to the Origin arena after a year out of the game with an ACL injury was well documented in the lead up to the series opener at Suncorp Stadium.

Fa’asuamaleaui was fighting back the tears as the anthem played, reflecting on what it took to be back in the side.

“Yes, the journey, but then also … just putting that Queensland jersey on,” Fa’asuamaleaui said of his emotions.

“Watching it as a fan last year, then obviously finding my way back in the team this year, it's just all the emotions and they all came out, just how grateful I was to be in that arena, being back home at Suncorp.

“I am getting emotional now talking about it because I love the state so much and I don't want to keep talking because I might get emotional again.”

Like Fotuaika, Fa’asuamaleaui was also looking for improvements in Perth, but was optimistic that small changes across the board and better attention to detail would help the Maroons get over the line.

“I think we have just got to be smart, I think we got to treat the ball like gold and make sure that we don't hand it over and give silly opportunities, but the fire's there definitely,” Fa’asuamaleaui said.

“We have just got to be smart and know our game … We handed the ball over in silly times and there's a lot of little discipline things that we did and we've identified that.

“We've had a real honest conversation between each other as players and coaches, what we need to do.

“I'm excited to get into training, practice good habits, train and find our game and we'll be alright leading to Wednesday.

“I take it personal, every game I play … every time I put that Queensland jersey on, it means so much to me.”