Titans coach Justin Holbrook has confirmed Tino Fa’asuamaleaui will remain the club’s sole captain despite the arrival of veteran halfback Kieran Foran.
The 22-year-old made his NRL captaincy debut last season and wore his heart on his sleeve, and Holbrook is hoping a core of experienced players can assist the gun forward going into the 2023 season.
Holbrook’s leadership group will include Fa’asuamaleaui alongside Foran, AJ Brimson, Isaac Liu and Roosters recruit Sam Verrills who is set to become an integral member of the Gold Coast spine.
Watch every game LIVE & ad-break free during play is on FOX LEAGUE with Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Stream Over 50 Sports Live & On-Demand with Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
“It’s definitely going to be Tino on his own,” Holbrook said on SEN’s Sportsday.
“When we won three out of our last four, he really stepped up and we’ve got Isaac Liu there as well, so there’s probably four or five guys under Tino that will help him which is the way we want it, but I’m sticking with Tino to lead the charge.”
“The great thing for Tino, and I’ve spoken to him about this and he agrees, is having Kieran and Sam there and the experience they’ve got, he can just lead with his actions and not have to worry about as much as he took on last year.
“I think he’ll really benefit from the experience around him and I think his game is going to keep improving.
“He’s only 22, so he’ll be exceptional for us this year and it’s great to have him back training with us again.”
The Titans are desperate to bounce back from a disaster campaign in 2022 after coming only one pass away from bursting into the second weeks of finals football a year earlier.
MORE NRL NEWS
EVERY CLUB’S BEST 17: Where star recruits will fit in; Bennett’s Dolphins take shape
TRANSFER WHISPERS: Titans slam ‘vicious’ rumours; Suaalii’s crunch call
‘NOW IS THE TIME’: Knights coach confirms big Ponga switch as battle emerges
‘ABSOLUTE RUBBISH’: Lomax reveals regret from stunning Frizell moment
Tino unlikely to limit his playing time | 00:50
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
However, Holbrook has a plan for his side to improve and it starts with a more “challenging” pre-season schedule.
‘We’ve changed things in terms of doing more and working harder and things like that. We all knew that mentally we weren’t terrific and we had some games we fell away in and that was pretty obvious,” Holbrook said.
“We’ve put together a training program that’s challenging a lot more, and the players are okay with that. That’s the best thing… they’ve got buy-in on that.
“No one was happy with how we went last year and we sort of got all that fixed towards the back in the last year.
“They understand that what we did last year wasn’t good enough, so we’re covering everything and it’s been enjoyable to watch.”
