Star Titans back-rower Tino Fa’asuamaleaui will be the youngest captain in the NRL this season after he was officially handed the reigns today.
The 21-year-old Fa’asuamaleaui will replace 2021 co-captains Kevin Proctor and Jamal Fogarty, with the latter now a member of the Raiders.
The announcement comes after the Queensland representative forward signed a long-term deal to remain with the club late last year.
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According to Nine’s rugby league statistician David Middleton, Fa’asuamaleaui, who will have turned 22 by the time the season starts, will be the fifth-youngest player inserted as a permanent captain.
The following are the youngest five players on a list that includes rugby league royalty:
1. Dave Brown – Easts, aged 19 in 1932
2. Phil Gould – Penrith, aged 20 in 1978
3. Bob Fulton – Manly, aged 20 in 1968
4. Nathan Cayless – Parramatta, aged 21 in 2000
5. Fa’asuamaleaui – Gold Coast, aged 22 in 2022
To date, Fa’asuamaleaui has played 49 first grade games between the Storm and Titans since making his debut in 2019.
He’s represented the Maroons on six occasions.
“Tino is a natural leader and he has been that with us since he first arrived at the club,” said Titans coach Justin Holbrook.
“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.”