Tino Fa’asuamaleaui says he is plans on stripping it back to basics for Saturday’s game against the Bulldogs.
The Queensland Origin forward has quickly become one of the Titans most valuable players, but the 21-year-old says he’s been overcomplicating his footy of late as he’s looked to make up for time lost to suspension (Fa’asuamaleaui missed rounds seven and eight because of a shoulder charge).
“Having two weeks off, I was just so keen to get back out there,” he said.
“I was just a bit frantic and the last two weeks I’ve just been a bit frantic and trying to do a lot of things.
RD 11 - Tino Fa'asuamaleaui - Media Edit
“I’ve just got to go back to playing simple football and running hard and tackling hard.
“I need to have a simple mindset going into this game and just play hard tough footy of running hard and tackling hard.”
With Tyrone Peachey to miss the next two games through suspension, Fa’asuamaleaui moves from the front row back to lock.
“I do prefer playing lock but prop is similar too and as long as I’m out there playing footy with the boys that’s all that I care about,” he said.
“Nothing too much changes.
“If I play good, all the other boys will play good too.
“It’s the same thing (for me) if I see some of the other boys running hard or tackling hard I just want to do the same and do the team proud and do the coach proud.”
“Like I said before, I’ve just got to take it back to simple football and just run hard and tackle hard and not complicate footy.”
With Origin selection approaching, Fa’asuamaleaui says he isn’t focussing on Maroons selection at this stage.
“The Titans are first each week but if I do get the chance to be picked in the Queensland team I’ve just got to be playing good football and that involves playing good these next two weeks to have my name thrown into the mix for the Queensland team but I’ve got to go back to playing good footy and good footy for this club.”
