‘Natural leader’: New skipper for NRL finalists Gold Coast Titans

Having already pledged his future to the Gold Coast Titans, Queensland State of Origin star Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has been made captain of the NRL club.

The 21-year-old baulked at big-money offers from other clubs to re-sign with the Titans at the end of last year in a deal that ties him to the club until the end of the 2026 season.

With that long-term role locked in, Titans coach Justin Holbrook said the “natural leader” would take over from Kevin Proctor as skipper in 2022.

“Tino is a natural leader and he has been that with us since he first arrived at the club,” Holbrook said.

“He sets such high standards and I love that about Tino.

“He is someone who leads with his actions. He demands a lot of himself and others and they are great qualities in a captain.

“Tino is part of an exciting new wave of Titans that are invested in bringing success here to the coast.

“He’s a player that has great respect from his peers, including our senior players like Kevin Proctor, Isaac Liu and Corey Thompson.”

Titans chief executive Steve Mitchell said Fa’asuamaleaui was a standard setter who could lead a largely young group back to the finals after a last-gasp loss to the Sydney Roosters in 2021.

“As a club we work to make our communities proud, to inspire them with energy and ultimately unite them through success,” he said.

“Tino is the embodiment of this and our value set, whether he is in a Titans jersey or out in our great community.

“He sets high standards around our core behaviours when it comes to our club values, and his work ethic is phenomenal.

“We’re confident that Tino will be a wonderful leader for our club and we’re delighted for him and his family that he will get the opportunity this season.”