Gold Coast Titans captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is preparing for a crucial stage in his journey back to full fitness, as he embarks on a rehabilitation trip to the United States. After suffering a season-ending ACL injury in Round 3, the 24-year-old forward has faced an arduous seven months of recovery. Now, he’s ready to take a decisive step by heading to Philadelphia for a two-week training camp with world-renowned sports reconditioning expert, Bill Knowles.
This decision to travel abroad follows in the footsteps of other NRL stars like Ryan Papenhuyzen, Latrell Mitchell, and Tom Trbojevic, all of whom have benefited from Knowles’ expertise. Tino’s drive to leave no stone unturned in his recovery speaks volumes about his dedication, not just to his own journey, but to the Titans, his teammates, and especially the fans.
In an emotional message, Fa’asuamaleaui opened up about the mental and physical challenges he’s faced during this difficult period, and how the unwavering support from the Titans fanbase has kept him motivated.
“To all the Titans fans, your support means the world to me. This has been one of the toughest years of my career, not being able to be out there with the boys and help lead the team through the highs and lows,” Tino shared. “But your passion, your belief in us, and your encouragement have kept me going. Every time I’ve watched the team play, I’ve felt the energy from you guys, whether at the stadium or through the messages you’ve sent. It’s meant so much.”
Reflecting on his recovery, Fa’asuamaleaui explained how vital this next step is for his return. “As soon as I found out about my injury, I knew I had to get the best care possible. Watching players like Papenhuyzen and Latrell go over to the US and get top-class treatment inspired me to do the same. This camp is about pushing myself beyond what I thought I could do, and I’m really excited to get that new set of eyes on my recovery.”
Despite the frustration of being sidelined for so long, Tino says the experience has also provided valuable lessons. “Not being on the field has given me a different perspective. I’ve been able to analyze our game, understand where we can improve, and see the strengths we already have. I’ll be taking all of that into 2025.”
For the fans, Fa’asuamaleaui had one final promise: “I can’t wait to get back out there with my brothers and fight for this club. We have big things coming next year, and I’m ready to give everything I’ve got to bring success back to the Gold Coast. Your support drives me every single day, and I want to repay that faith by leading the Titans to something special. Thank you for sticking by us through it all. We do this for you.”
The captain’s determination is clear, and his journey to recovery has become a story of resilience, not just for him, but for the entire Titans community. As Tino prepares for his return in 2025, the fans remain at the heart of his motivation—a powerful reminder that even off the field, the support of the Titans faithful continues to shape the future of the club.
