Muscling in: Roosters’ big-money play for Fa’asuamaleaui

NRL clubs involved in the Tino Fa’asuamaleaui are nervous that the in-demand forward has had his head towards Bondi, with whispers continuing to grow that the Sydney Roosters want to splash big money on him for 2027.

While nothing has been tabled yet, The Sporting Base understands the Roosters are preparing a signing campaign for “Big Tino,” and want to give him the chance to look things over before Christmas. How much cash would be included on the docket is perhaps the biggest question, considering their cap is already stretched in the forward pack.

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That said, that won’t stop the tricolours from trying to muscle in on the signing war that’s been warring between interested parties like the Melbourne Storm, Perth Bears and St George Illawarra Dragons in recent months.

The 25-year-old has been free to speak to NRL rivals outside the Gold Coast since November 1 after activating a “get out” clause where he can test the waters despite being signed with the Titans through to 2033. He’s already had very informal discussions with Melbourne and St George Illawarra, while Perth are in the hunt after signing his brother, Iszac.

The Bulldogs have also been included in several reports regarding his future, though this Base writer would be shocked if Canterbury could stick with the cash offers being thrown around; Fa’asuamaleaui will command as much as $1.5M a year.

The same question could be levelled at the Roosters, considering they’ve splashed the cash to sign former Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans and New South Wales hooker Reece Robson for next season, as well as agreeing to bring Reuben Garrick to Bondi in 2027. That may well be the biggest thing that keeps the tricolours from being top contenders, at least early on.

(Tino’s already making seven figures on the Gold Coast, and would want a title chance or way more pay to leave.)

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“I do really want to stay at the Titans, but I want to see things improve around the place and that’s [by] winning,” he told Code Sports while touring England for the 2025 Ashes squad in October. “I have tried to do that for five years, to try to win, and there have been a lot of ups and downs. I want to see improvements throughout the whole club and see it heading in a good direction.”

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“I love the Titans, and I want to win there and change [the club],” he added. “I would love to stay, but an NRL career is so short. I played three years at the Storm and am going into my sixth at the Titans – how many more years do I have in me?”