Class in session as Tino goes to school on Isaah's leadership

Titans captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has been watching Kangaroos skipper Isaah Yeo like a hawk as Australia seeks to open their 2026 World Cup campaign with back-to-back wins. 

Tino has already played eight of his 10 Tests with Australia alongside Yeo but that hasn’t stopped him from studying the moves and moments that encompass the Penrith co-captain’s style of football. 

“Just the detail that goes into his game from training to obviously playing,” Fa’asuamaleaui said. 

“He’s someone I can look up to and really learn from like the leadership on the field, which can better my game when I get back to clubland. 

“He’s awesome to play with, awesome to be around.” 

In truth it’s one of the reasons the Gold Coast prop likes playing for the Kangaroos as they are on opposite sides at State of Origin level. 

Fa’asuamaleaui opened his international career playing one game for Samoa in the 2019 Oceania Cup. 

But he’s a former Junior Kangaroos representative and played three times for the Prime Minister’s XIII - twice against PNG and once against Fiji. 

Kalyn Ponga, Victor Radley and AJ Brimson were among his 2019 Junior Kangaroos teammates, captained by David Fifita, who like Fa’asuamaleaui, played for Tonga before switching allegiance to Australia. 

“It is so good to see him rewarded with this jersey because he’s worked pretty hard to come back from his injuries,” Fa’asuamaleaui said. 

“I just think growing up, the Aussie jersey was the pinnacle for me. 

“I grew up watching the best of the best play in this jersey. Now that I’m here I didn’t want to get rid of that jersey that I worked so hard towards.” 

Fa’asuamaleaui played five games for Australia at the 2022 World Cup, including the 30-10 final win over Samoa, and he played all three 2025 Ashes Tests against England. 

“It was a hard decision but my heart was in this one,” he said. 

“We’ve got a standard that this group has set so we will keep working hard to play our best for our country and the people who’ve played before us.” 

After a stirring 24-22 win over the Kiwis last week, Australia moves to Brisbane to play Fiji on Sunday. 

Fa’asuamaleaui is well aware there’s little difference in the quality of the forward packs at this World Cup regardless of Tier 1 or Tier 2 status. 

“You can see how good they all and at club level those individuals have stood out," he said.

“There’s a lot of talented players out there amongst the forwards. It’s good to go out and take them.”