They may have lost the game, but the New South Wales star Sarah Togatuki showed incredible courage to play in the origin conflict on Thursday evening in Newcastle.
The Blues Forward showed incredible to take the field just a few days after the sudden death of her sister Jean, who followed the tragic death of her brother Junior, who took his own life in February.
Jean died on Saturday after a short stay in the hospital, so that the Togatuki family was destroyed.
Despite her grief, Sarah played against Queensland in the game on Thursday evening and contributed 42 meters in a period of 14 minutes before a big league forced her off the field.
On full -time she was visibly emotional, surrounded by loved ones who had come to her in Newcastle.
The Blues team wore black bracelets in the memory of Jean and was in solidarity with their mourning teammate.
Blues Forward Sarah Togatuki (TOP) played the last game of the State of origin only a few days after the tragic death of her sister Jean (below)
The NSW star bravely entered the field of the bank, despite the grief that envelops her
Her sister Jean had been to the hospital for weeks, with Sarah by her side (photo)
Coach John Strange praised the courage of Togatuki and doubted that every other player could have matched her strength in such circumstances.
‘I don’t know if I could have done that [after] Losing a sister on Saturday, “he said after the game.
‘I had a chat with her about spending time with her family, but it was really important for her and her family that she came out and represented them.
‘So to show the power of character, is a real proof of who she is as a person and the love she has for her family and the game she plays.
“She is certainly not underestimated by someone of us for what she does. Excellent player and even better person. ‘
Captain Isabelle Kelly, an old NRLW teammate, said that the Togatuki team had supported the tragedy.
‘If you know Sala, she is a contagious type of person. She was not in the camp for a while and we missed her, we missed her presence, “said Kelly.
‘She places everyone for herself and she is just very inspiring.
Sarah let all the emotion out of full -time after he climbed into the stands to be with her family
The extensive family all traveled to Newcastle to support Sarah with a sign that Jean was her #1 supporter
‘Many of us said we could not have done what she did this week.
‘She was a huge inspiration for us that led to this game and I know she would have done her family so proudly, although she came off, she proudly did us the power she has.
“I feel really honored and luckily that I can pull a sweater next to her.”
Jean was honored with an outpouring of tribute on social media, including her daughter.
“I never thought I had to say this speech so young, but I promise to fulfill the dream that you and I shared, I promise to make you pride that I will live loudly and proudly,” she wrote.
“The stadiums have been quiet without and also the house, you have had a huge impact on many lives and I am happy that you are called your daughter, I love you deeper than the sea could ever get.”
Sarah herself placed a long tribute to her ‘best friend’ and also revealed that it came after the loss of her brother.
‘The world of our family changed in an instant. My beautiful big sister got her wings and went to our brother JNR, “she posted.
It has been an extremely emotional ride for Sarah, who dedicated NSW series to her sister
Sarah said her sister was her best friend and led light, because the family also lost their brother
The tribute flowed on social media, including a heartbreaking post from Jean’s daughter
“It still doesn’t really feel. She was only admitted to hospital two weeks ago and now she is gone. The pain is overwhelming, especially for her four beautiful babies.
“She wasn’t just my sister. She was my best friend, my greatest cheerleader and the quiet glue that our family held together.
‘After she had lost our brother, she promised to protect us all, and she really lived that promise. She always showed up. Always place others for themselves. Always stood on loyalty and love.
“I’m numb. Still trouble finding the words. My sister was wearing a light that touched so much. She had a way to see everyone, heard and loved. If she loved you, you felt it deep.
“She was a mother figure for many and a fixed anchor in every phase of life she walked through.”
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