Gold Coast Titans coach Josh Hannay has delivered a significant update on the health of captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, after confirmation the representative forward underwent knee surgery during the off-season.
Fa’asuamaleaui had a minor clean-out procedure last month after experiencing discomfort in his knee upon returning from Australia’s Ashes tour of England, immediately sparking anxiety given his recent injury history.
The Titans skipper missed the majority of the 2024 season after undergoing a major knee reconstruction, making any further issues with the same knee a major point of concern for the club and its supporters.
Hannay, however, was quick to play down the severity of the latest procedure and insisted the surgery was precautionary, with Fa’asuamaleaui firmly on track to be available for the opening round of the 2026 NRL season.
MORE: Rival Sydney club eyes Tigers star Bula
“He had a clean-out – it was as minor a knee procedure as you can have,” Hannay said.
“When he came back from the tour he was talking about a sore knee, we had it checked out and the best course was to get it cleaned out." Hannay elaborated.
“He is just about back in full training. It was really minor.” Hannay stated in what is good news for the Titans and their fans.
The procedure was performed on the same knee Fa’asuamaleaui aggravated during Australia’s 3-0 Ashes series win, but the Titans believe the issue has now been fully resolved.
Fa’asuamaleaui is expected to complete a solid month of full training before pre-season trial matches begin next month, putting him in a strong position to lead Gold Coast into the new campaign.
The update is a major boost for the Titans, with Fa’asuamaleaui the cornerstone of the club’s roster and widely regarded as one of the most influential middle forwards in the NRL when fit.
Beyond his on-field impact, the 25-year-old’s future is also under close watch across the competition, with Fa’asuamaleaui contracted through the end of the 2026 season but holding the ability to explore his options thereafter.
That interest has only intensified following the recent confirmation that his brother, Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui, will join the Perth Bears ahead of their inaugural NRL season, adding another layer of intrigue to Tino’s long-term future.
For now, the Titans’ focus is squarely on getting their captain fully fit and firing, knowing their hopes of climbing the ladder in 2026 rest heavily on the availability, leadership and destructive power of their skipper.