AN emotional Tino Fa’asuamaleaui paid tribute to his late father Fereti afer Queensland’s Origin win at the MCG, saying: “He had the best seat in the house tonight”.
The Gold Coast star opted to play despite losing his dad losing his battle with cancer on Saturday. Fa’asuamaleaui’s mum Dianne, sister Olivia and brother Iszac attended the game, won 44-24 by the Maroons
“It’s been a hard week for myself and my family but I’ve got the right people around me to make sure I’m OK, Fa’asuamaleaua told Triple M.
“I’ve got mates to go to. … my mum, she’s struggling at the moment – big time. That game was for her. And I guess everyone involved and my old man up top.
“The boys came out and did their best for Queensland and for my old man too. He had the best seat in the house tonight and I had to look up a few times and say ‘how good’s this Dad?’ and that I love him.”
The loss of Fereti affected the Maroons camp deeply, with winger Selwyn Cobbo dedictating one of his three tries to the family.
“Across the whole playing group, we all sent our love to Tino’s family,” the Dolphins winger said on 2GB.
“That second try was for him. We play for him (Tino). We’re all proud of him, he turned up tonight.”
Captain Cameron Munster commented: “I’m immensely proud of Tino being able to back up. He he’s had a tragedy in his life and put his state and his team before everything else and I’m just glad we paid him back.”
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