'Unfinished business': Tino commits to Kangaroos for historic Ashes series
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Star forward Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has provided a massive boost for the Kangaroos in the upcoming Ashes series against England after declared he has unfinished business with Australia.
Fa’asuamaleaui had been considering joining Broncos prop Payne Haas in representing his Samoan heritage in the Pacific Championships against Tonga and New Zealand, but the Titans captain has announced that he would tour England with the Kangaroos.
In a social media post titled, “Decision made. Unfinished business”, Fa’asuamaleaui said Australia’s record 30-0 loss to the Kiwis in the final of the 2023 Pacific Cup still burned and he did not want that to be his last Test for the Kangaroos.
However, he has not ruled out returning to Samoa for next year’s World Cup in Australia and Papua New Guinea.
“I don’t want to get too emotional but my Samoan side I am very proud of, and hopefully I can create another legacy of just someone that passionately represented my country,” said in the video, posted on Tik Tok.
“Hopefully I can change some kids lives, where kids from Samoa, kids from Australia, Gympie or anywhere look at me and go I want to be a Tino one day.
“To be a part of the Ashes tour over in England, the first time in a long time, it is a bit of history, and it is something that I really want to be a part of.
“Obviously, I have got unfinished business with the green and gold in the fashion that we lost in and I am very, very grateful to be on that tour. I can’t wait for what’s ahead and I can’t wait to put that jersey back on.”
The Kangaroos will play a three-Test Ashes series against England for the first time since 2003, with Kevin Walters appointed coach after Mal Meninga was given charge of the Perth Bears.
The series opens at Wembley Stadium on October 25, followed by sold out Tests at the new Everton Stadium on November 1 and Headingley on November 8.
Fa’asuamaleaui missed last year’s Pacific Championships, won 20-14 by Australia in an epic final against Tonga at CommBank Stadium, due to a knee injury and instead visited Samoa to reconnect with family on his father’s side.
He and brother Iszac, who has signed with Catalans, met Samoa's Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa and were special guests at a youth tournament.
Fa’asuamaleaui's father Fereti was recruited by the legendary Arthur Beetson, who captained and coached Australia, from Samoan rugby union to play for the Roosters in the mid-1990s.
Tino represented Samoa in 2019 and made his Kangaroos debut at the last World Cup in England in 2022, helping Australia retain the Paul Barrière Trophy by defeating Samoa in the final at Old Trafford.
Jeremiah Nanai and Murray Taulagi switched their allegiances from Australia to Samoa after the World Cup, while Haas has committed to the Ben Gardiner-coached team for the Pacific Championships and World Cup.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who played for Samoa at the last World Cup before switching to Australia, had been considering his international allegiances before being injured in the Dolphins' Round 27 match against the Raiders.
Match: England v Kangaroos
Round 1 -
home Team
England
away Team
Kangaroos
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
