Tino Fa'asuamaleaui set to play after father Fereti dies

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui stayed in Queensland with his family after his father, Fereti, died following an illness, and he is expected to play for Queensland in Game II on Wednesday night. The Titans captain did not travel with the Maroons to Melbourne on Friday, choosing to remain in Gympie with his family.

Slater fronts Melbourne media

Billy Slater told the media in Melbourne on Saturday afternoon that Fa’asuamaleaui’s father had passed away. He said the Queensland forward had already indicated his wish to play on Wednesday night, but that his family had to come first and he would be given whatever time he needed.

“Unfortnately this morning we received the sad news that Fareti Fa’asuamaleaui had passed away,” Slater said. “On behalf of myself, this footy team and the state of Queensland, our love and condolences go to the Fa’asuamaleaui family.”

Titans family mourns Fereti

The Gold Coast Titans said Fereti was a beloved member of the Titans family and an inspiration for his three children, Olivia, Tino and Iszac, alongside his wife, Dianne. Their statement extended condolences to the entire Fa’asuamaleaui family after the passing of Tino’s father.

That leaves Queensland carrying another heavy Origin story into a Game II week that already has a recent precedent. Before last year’s decider, Cam Munster’s father, Steven, died, and Munster played for the Maroons.

For Queensland, the immediate question is no longer whether Fa’asuamaleaui wants to be there. It is whether he can balance a family loss in Gympie with the demands of an Origin call-up on Wednesday night, after a Friday flight to Melbourne was already left behind.