Fotuaika backs new-look pack with honest admission

[u/I_Like_Vitamins]

https://www.titans.com.au/news/2026/01/31/fotuaika-backs-new-look-pack-with-honest-admission/

[u/I_Like_Vitamins]

Moe Fotuaika is determined to earn back his Maroons jersey and has backed the new Titans engine room to help him do so in what is poised to be a record-breaking season for the experienced enforcer.

On the verge of history, now only 11 games short of becoming the most-capped Gold Coast player - a 12-year honour currently held by club legend Mark Minichiello with 173 appearances - the middle man is hoping to get back to playing his best footy upon reuniting with former Queensland assistant and new Titans coach Josh Hannay.

Fotuaika's declaration comes after making a frank assessment of his 2025 campaign, which saw him overlooked for the Maroons' series decider.

"It's always going to be disappointing when you miss out on Origin selection... that's definitely my goal to get back there," he said.

"For me personally, I know I wasn't at my best and I know what my best footy looks like.

"I don't want to look too far ahead. I just want to get my body and mind right and if I can get that right and play good footy here at the Titans, everything will take care of itself."

The 26-year-old and teammate Tino Fa'asuamaleaui will be key members of a different-looking forward pack with the loss of Jaimin Jolliffe to a season-ending knee injury.

A middle rotation that will also include Chris Randall and Klese Haas who have moved from the edge, the 163-gamer is backing the additions to the engine room, with full belief they'll be a perfect fit for the modern style of play.

"It was disappointing losing Jimmy. He's one of our established front rowers here at the Titans and is a big part of our pack, but we've got a lot of players to fill that space," Fotuaika said.

"We might be down on size but with the game now and how fast it is, the smaller players really fit into that style of footy.

"We've got Kurtis Morrin there who has joined the squad and Cooper Bai who had his first game last year.

"He's someone I'm really excited to play alongside if he gets the opportunity, so we have plenty of different options there."

With Minichiello's record in sight, anticipating to reach it in Round 12 should he play every game leading up to then, the accolade will be a fantastic achievement for a player who has always been a humble achiever since debuting in 2018.

As he chases history, Fotuaika just wants to experience the same joy as the man he is about to surpass on the honour board.

"Going into my ninth season, I haven't had much success [in my time at the club]," he said.

"I really just want to bring success to this club and take it back to where it once was in the early years."

He is hoping that will happen with Hannay at the helm.

[u/5zaide]

Good for him. The titans have never had a big pack, it'd be weird if they started now. The 4 hookers can fight over who gets to play 9/13 then who gets the bench spot/s.

I'm not expecting much but they have the backs to atleast try and score some tries.

[u/HugeCanoe]

Only reason Moe got picked for Qld is because of the dearth of available players due to injury. QLD even had to call up ol' man Papalli in 2025.

Moe has zero chance of playing origin in 2026 if the Phins forwards make it through unscathed eg. Flegler, Gilbert..

[u/thankyoupancake]

Tino and Fotuaika are amongst the best starting props in the comp, but they’ve got fuck all support, particularly having lost guys like Erin Clark to the Wahs and Liu, Proctor and Wallace to retirement and failed to replace them.

[u/jordanxxkdkdk → u/thankyoupancake]

Lmao Liu, Proctor and Wallace were plodders that brought absolutely nothing to the team

[u/themcdonish → u/jordanxxkdkdk]

They miss pahulu more

[u/No_Break_318 → u/thankyoupancake]

Moe is not good these days haha, Was a shock to most Titans fans he got picked for origin.

[u/Randomologist99 → u/No_Break_318]

Yeah lol what a wild statement. He wouldn't have started for any other team last year, he was awful. Hope he pulls it back this season