Maroons enforcer Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has extra motivation driving him this Origin series and has been drawing strength from his father, who is fighting another cancer battle.
Speaking from Camp Maroon, the Titans skipper shared that the cancer Fereti Fa’asuamaleaui had battled before had unfortunately returned, but that he and his family were ready to face round two.
“He's very sick at the moment, he's got he's got cancer," Fa'asuamaleaui said.
“He had it a few years ago and he's a strong man, he got through it and I guess I haven't really spoken about it publicly and it's something that I don't really want to speak about, but he's got cancer.
“It sucks, but he's fighting, he's fighting every day to beat this and it’s unfortunate that it came back, but he's a strong man and he's my hero.
“I love that guy and he's my hero and he's fighting every day.
“Whenever I get a chance, I'll go see my Dad even if I'm at Goldie [Gold Coast], on the day off or the night before after training, I go straight home to Gympie and just to spend time with my loved ones.
“You don't want to think of the worst case, but I always just try to cherish every moment.”
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Fighting back tears as he spoke about the influence of Fereti - who played rugby league with the Roosters in reserve grade and represented Samoa in rugby union - Fa’asuamaleaui said it was an honour to wear his name on his back when donning the Maroons jersey.
“We have a very strong network," Fa'asuamaleaui said. "My Dad's brothers from Samoa (are) over and from New Zealand, all over the place, my Dad's nephews, my cousins have come over from Samoa, Perth, everywhere across Australia, New Zealand and the world.
“It just shows you how good of a man he is.
“He'll get through this.
“I pray every day and pray to God that he gets through this sickness, but he's got a lot of support.
“He's staying really strong and like I said, he's a strong man, it ain't an easy thing.
“But he's really proud of me and I'm honoured that I get to wear his last name on my back for Queensland and represent him and what he's done for me.
“I've always played for my Dad, he's my hero whether he was sick or not, he's someone that I look up to and I love so much.
“Not just him, my Mum, my siblings, my nephew, my nieces and my kids especially and my partner.
“They're someone I always look up to and play for, but obviously, my Dad can't come to the games anymore, so it gives me that extra motivation to play well for him so he can have a smile while he lays in bed.
“Definitely extra motivation, but they always were from the beginning.”
Given his experience playing both codes at a high level, Fa’asuamaleaui said while his father could not come in person, he enjoyed watching his games from bed and sharing his tips post-match.
They appear to be working, with Fa’asuamaleaui rediscovering his form and happy to be coming into Game Two camp off the back of a gusty Titans win over the Broncos.
“If I play bad, it's probably he's not smiling, so he'll let me know,” Fa’asuamaleaui laughed.
“I have to play well to make sure he has a smile.
“He's always got tips, he's always got tips of what I can do better and that's something that I've loved about my Dad, that he's always spoke truthfully about my game and just me as a man and how I can be better.
“He's the best and I'll continue to take those tips on and make sure that I get my game better.”
Match: Blues v Maroons
Game 2 -
home Team
Blues
away Team
Maroons
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
A record crowd is set to pack into the MCG for Game Two of the State of Origin series. Tickets are selling fast, so click here to get yours before they sell out.
