Sarah Togatuki praised after playing State of Origin days after sister's death
NSW coach John Strange doubts any other player could have matched Sarah Togatuki's strength in playing State of Origin only days after her sister died.
The famously energetic Blues prop took the field for Origin III on Thursday night after losing her sister Jean on Saturday following a short stay in hospital.
Togatuki played only a 14-minute cameo that was cut short by a head clash as the Blues fell 18-14 to Queensland but the Tigers star, who has played 11 Origin games straight since her debut in 2020, was hailed as a key member of the camp.
"She's just an infectious type of person," captain Isabelle Kelly said.
"She wasn't in camp with us for a bit and we really missed her and missed her presence. She puts everyone before herself and she's just really inspiring.
"A lot of us were saying we wouldn't have been able to do what she has done this week. She was a huge inspiration for us leading into this game. I just know she would've done her family so proud.
"She's done all of us so proud with the strength she's had and I feel really honoured and lucky to be able to pull on a jersey alongside her."
Togatuki dedicated the Blues' series-clinching win in Game II to her sister, saying she "would've been the loudest in the stands" at the Sydney Football Stadium if not for her admission to hospital.
Days before Game III, Togatuki shared an emotional tribute to her "sister, best friend and biggest cheerleader" after her death.
"It still doesn't feel real," she wrote on Instagram.
"She was only admitted to hospital two weeks ago, and now she's gone. The pain is overwhelming, especially for her four beautiful babies."
Togatuki said her older sister was "the quiet glue that held our family together" after the death of their brother Junior in 2015.
"She vowed to protect us all, and she truly lived that promise," she wrote.
"She always showed up. Always put others before herself. Always stood on loyalty and love."
The 27-year-old said "the village" Jean created was rallying around her four children now.
At full-time after Game III, Tokatuki was visibly emotional, spending time with the many members of her family who attended the match in Newcastle with a sign reading "#1 Supporter" under a picture of Sarah and Jean.
Strange paid tribute to the strength of character shown by the Wests Tigers prop in taking the field for the Blues, who won the Origin series 2-1.
"I don't know if anyone else could've done that. I don't know if I could've," the coach said.
"It was really important to her that she spent time with her family but it was really important to her and to her family that she come out and represented them tonight.
"To show that strength of character is a real testament to who she is as a person and the love she has for her family and the game. She's an outstanding player and an even better person."
The Blues wore black armbands for the game and Togatuki wrote Jean RIL (Rest In Love) on her wrist.
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