4 days ago
Wests Tigers star Izaac Tu'itupou breaks down ahead of his club debut - and thanks his biggest supporter
Wests Tigers winger Izaac Tu'itupou has revealed his wife Tiana at times works two jobs so he can realise his footy dreams.
In emotional scenes, the winger - who will make his club debut on Saturday night against Penrith at Commbank Stadium - paid tribute to the sacrifices she has made.
'Credit to my wife, I appreciate her so much, I owe her a lot,' the 28-year-old told reporters this week.
'It (career) has been a rollercoaster, she has been an anchor for me. 'She has kept me on the straight and narrow.'
Tu'itupou added he was 'grateful' coach Benji Marshall has handed him an opportunity - which he 'deserved.'
The flyer has played first grade previously, having being on the books of South Sydney between 2022 and 2024.
Seeking regular NRL opportunities, Tu'itupou completed pre-season with the Raiders, starting last November.
He then joined the Tigers on a train and trial deal in March.
After starring in the NSW Cup, where he has scored 12 tries in 18 NSW Cup appearances for the Western Suburbs Magpies, Tu'itupou will replace Charlie Staines.
Meanwhile, Tigers trio Jarome Luai, Api Koroisau and Taylan May will line up against their former Penrith teammates, who are chasing seven-straight wins.
Panthers young gun Blaize Talagi has replaced Luai in the halves, and appears to have found his groove after a slow start.
'It was a bit challenging when I first came here with all the talk about me filling his (Luai) shoes,' Talagi told
'As I've been here longer, as a group we've talked about we're not here to fill anyone's shoes.
'You're here to be yourself and that's helped me grow each week and that's showing on the field.'
Luai and Talagi are also tipped to be Samoa's first choice halves come the Pacific Championships in October.
The men in blue will play Tests against New Zealand and Tonga.
