Titans skipper and incumbent Maroons prop Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has accused the media of building up his ball carrying technique after he was placed on report against the Tigers.
Three weeks after raising a forearm in a tackle that caused a head knock for Reed Mahoney, Fa’asuamaleaui was placed on report for a similar incident that saw Api Koroisau break his jaw.
“It is a contact sport mate and I am running as hard as I can and he is obviously getting up fast trying to stop me and I guess he came off second best,” Fa’asuamaleaui said.
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Api OUT for Game 2 with broken jaw? | 00:43
“But I’m hoping he is all right and I’m hoping I’m all right too.”
Fa’asuamaleaui was pressed on whether he has an issue with his technique after unintentionally injuring two players in the space of three games.
“I have been running like that since I have come into the NRL since the start,” Fa’asuamaleaui said.
“Obviously there has been a couple of times where the players put their head in the wrong position and they have come off second best.
“But like I said I am just going out there to run as hard as I can and that’s my aim for the team to get quick play-the-balls.
“It is just a contact sport at the end of the day.”
Fa’asuamaleaui believes the media are making him more worried than he should be ahead of Origin II.
“I think it is similar to the other week,” Fa’asuamaleaui said.
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“I think it is the media making me more worried than anything just building it up.
“I am just hoping I get selected first and then I’m hoping I am in the team.”
With Queensland facing a couple of forced changes Fa’asuamaleaui put forward front row partner Moe Fotuaika as the man to help fill the voids.
“Definitely he has been our best player almost every week,” Fa’asuamaleaui said.
“Obviously there has been some injuries and I am hoping his name is tossed up because it hasn’t been tossed up too much in the media.
“But he is the guy that does all the little stuff and works hard and it gets unnoticed, but I’m hoping he does and gets in the team.”
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Wests Tigers Press Conference | 03:00
Titans coach Just Holbrook praised Fa’asuamaleaui for his commitment to the club after a starring display against the Tigers.
“Tino has played three games in eight days,” Holbrook said.
“That’s unbelievable and that just shows what the players want to do for our club.
“Moe Fotuaika can’t play any better, so there was plenty of good players and we needed it and I’m very happy for the players.”
Holbrook conceded his side just needed to win after three straight losses.
“It was exactly what we needed and I’m really happy with the win tonight,” Holbrook said.
“It was great that we finished it off and that’s what we had to do.
“What does he want to achieve” – Graham | 02:48
“We have let them slip a few times this year so it was great to just get on with it and play the full 80 and get a good win.”
Holbrook reserved special praise for fullback AJ Brimson, who he believes is such an important player for the Titans on both sides of the ball.
“I said pregame how important Brimson is to our side,” Holbrook said.
“He is as important as Turbo is to Manly and Tedesco to the Roosters.
“That’s how good he is and how important he is for us in defence as well as attack.
“I don’t know if you can get as close as he did to saving a try at the end. He would have loved to save it, but just to have him back in the side.”
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