Gold Coast captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui will seek a final tick of approval from an external company specialising in the recovery of elite athletes to return to full training next week.
The 24-year-old prop, who hails from Gympie, ruptured the ACL in his right knee in round three against Canterbury last year and missed the entire season.
On Monday he will visit consultancy Pitch Ready in Sydney which will put Fa’asuamaleaui through a series of strength and capacity tests utilising 3D motion analysis as the Titans warhorse changes direction at high speeds.
The company was also used by the Titans when forward Beau Fermor received the green light to commence full training last year after also rupturing his ACL.
The Queensland front-rower has left no stone unturned in his quest to return to his best.
Last year he completed a two-week training camp with world-renowned sports reconditioning and athletic coach Bill Knowles, who has also assisted Tom Trbojevic, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Latrell Mitchell with their injury recoveries.
Fa’asuamaleaui has been on a modified training program as part of his rehabilitation plan and if he gets the thumbs-up in Sydney he could return to full training as soon as next week in a boost to the Titans’ push to return to finals football.
His manager Simon Mammino said the giant forward was now at the end of a long road to recovery.
“When you see him it looks like he could play right now so it is just getting through the last tick down in Sydney,” Mammino said.
“The Titans are doing their due diligence and looking after their investment to make sure Tino is ready. It is a good thing for the club to do.
“Tino has shown a lot of commitment. It was never going to be an issue for him doing all of his rehab. He is doing extras and has done everything to get himself back so he can play just like he was before the injury.”
Fa’asuamaleaui, in the second season of a monster 10-year extension at the Titans, has done it all in the game at a young age.
He won the 2020 premiership with Melbourne and then played 12 State of Origin games in a row for Queensland, winning three of four series. In 2022 he was a key member of Australia’s side that won the Rugby League World Cup and has also represented Samoa.
Leading the Titans to a maiden title remains on his bucket list.
“That is what he wants to do,” Mammino said.
“He wants to win a title with the Titans and take them to the top. That is what drives him. He is just extremely committed to lifting them off the ground.
“Tino is just so hungry to get back on the field, to lead his team and get stuck into it. When you are out of action for a year I think you ponder where you are in your career and I know that Tino also appreciates more than ever what he has got.
“He has also had time to reflect on where he wants to go with his career. He hasn’t slackened off with his recovery training or what he does off the field.”
