Fresh from a gallant performance in the mighty Maroon, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui is ready to bring a taste of Wednesday's success back to the Gold Coast Titans.
Inspirational as always in Queensland's 16-10 victory over New South Wales, the Titans captain has re-joined his teammates with high spirits, bringing plenty of energy and enthusiasm to make it two wins in just over 72 hours when his side faces the Rabbitohs on Saturday afternoon.
"I'm a bit sore, but I'm happy... very happy," Fa'asuamaleaui said.
"I can't wait to get out there and play some good footy for the Titans."
"[The reason I'm backing up] is to keep playing consistent footy to get a win here and hopefully I'm smiling after this game too."
'Hopefully I'm smiling after this game too' - Fa'asuamaleaui
Despite a tough opening half of the season with only three wins from 13 games, the Titans leader and his troops are still up and about and relishing the opportunity to represent the Gold Coast.
"Obviously we haven't been winning, but the boys' energy was good today and they are happy to be out there playing footy," Fa'asuamaleaui said, speaking at the captain's run ahead of the clash against the Rabbitohs.
"We need to win to bring the confidence up and just to get that winning feeling again, enjoying football.
"The boys always enjoy coming in and training but obviously losing... that doesn't help. It does hurt and the boys just want to win.
"It's hard to enjoy footy when you're losing, but the boys are grateful that we get to play football every weekend and enjoy that side of things.
"This weekend is massive for us and hopefully we get the job done."
It's been a common theme this season the squad is continuing to work on, but Fa'asuamaleaui highlighted the need to put in a complete, 80-minute performance to ensure his side can walk off the field with the two competition points in hand.
"We just have little patches in the game... 10-15 minute patches and we have got to get that right in those areas," Fa'asuamaleaui said.
"I thought the boys started well the other night, but there's little patches where the boys switched off and don't get their jobs right and then before you know it, teams are three tries up.
"I think we've just got to get that right to make sure that we're 100 percent on for the 80 minutes."
Match: Titans v Rabbitohs
Round 14 -
home Team
Titans
15th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
7th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Although missing live-wire fullback Jayden Campbell through injury, his unfortunate omission has opened the door for excitement machine Paul Turner to make his Titans debut, with a spine reshuffle seeing the Kiwi young gun partner Toby Sexton in the halves for his first game of the season.
"Pauly Turner has been killing it back in Q Cup and he deserves to be in the team now," Fa'asuamaleaui said.
"Hopefully he goes out and enjoys the game and does a good job."
