In welcome news for Gold Coast Titans fans, club captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has chosen to delay going to the open market next month.
According to reports in the Courier Mail, the Australian Kangaroos forward wants to give incoming head coach Josh Hannay the opportunity to turn things around for the 2025 cellar dwellers, before making a final decision on his playing future.
It had long been feared Fa’asuamaleaui could walk away from the 10-year Titans contract he signed in 2023, given he is technically a free agent from November 1 due to a number of ‘get-out’ clauses.
However those fears have eased, at least for now, with Fa’asuamaleaui’s decision seen as a positive sign the 25-year-old wants to remain on the Gold Coast if they can show signs of improvement under Hannay.
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Incoming Gold Coast Titans director of football Scott Sattler acknowledged the onus is now firmly on the Titans to deliver a vision for the future after Fa’asuamaleaui challenged senior management to make much-needed changes in the wake of former coach Des Hasler’s departure.
“It’s a smart decision by Tino to allow that time for Josh to see how the club evolves and keep that connection going,” Sattler said.
“I’d like to think we can keep him, but it has to be based on our vision moving forward.
“Tino knows where we want to take the club.”
After electing to represent Australia ahead of Samoa in the 2025 international window, Fa’asuamaleaui will fly to England next Wednesday with the Kangaroos in preparation for the upcoming Ashes series.