Tigers and NSW teammates rally around Sarah Togatuki after tragic loss of sister ahead of NRLW start

Players and staff from the Tigers, Blues and wider NRLW have rallied around beloved player Sarah Togatuki after the unspeakable tragedy of losing her sister just days before State of Origin Game III.

Wests Tigers players and staff rallied around Sarah Togatuki at her sister’s funeral on Monday after the beloved NSW Origin forward returned to the care of her NRLW club over the weekend.

The 27-year-old is being heralded for her bravery to play Origin III in Newcastle on Thursday night while dealing with the unspeakable tragedy of suddenly losing her older sister Jean days earlier.

Tigers coach Brett Kimmorley said Togatuki will be given as much time off from club duties as she needs.

“She’s loved and supported, what she’s had to go through and fronted up last week to play Origin, she’s an amazing person,” he said.

“We’ve got a great wellbeing person at our club, and we’re a caring club who care about her. She’s brought that respect on herself with her actions and who she is. We’ll support and assist her in any way we can.

“Today was option for any of the players to go, and a number of them turned up to show her love and support.”

Sarah Togatuki after the Origin match. Picture: NRL Photos

Togatuki’s courage has captured the hearts of the rugby league community, while NSW teammates and close friends have spoken about her inspirational character and the bond they share beyond representative teams heading into the NRLW season, which starts on July 3.

“Grief is a strange thing and they say time heals, but it doesn’t. It’s always hard to avoid but what Sala has been able to do is rally her community around her and her team around her,” said Canberra captain and close friend Simaima Taufa.

Sarah Togatuki has had the support of her club, state and wide league. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“What we’ve been able to do is have our arms wide open for her.

“Sala knows that far beyond this game we’re bonded, and she can lean on us. She’s got a community.

“Moving forward it’s just about moving onto our NRLW clubs and making sure we’re around her. The great thing about this game is wherever we go, wherever we are, we’re all connected.

“That’s something that can’t be taken away from us. I can’t praise Sala enough for her strength. She’s the bravest person I know.”

Meanwhile, the Blues celebrated the series win despite losing game three in Newcastle last week, with most players returning to their NRLW clubs to officially begin their pre-season over the weekend.

NRLW trials will kick off over the coming weeks, including the Tigers playing Dragons at Leichhardt Oval on June 22.

“The great thing about NSW is the pathways, the girls are always pushing us for spots, so we have to take what we’ve learned here and take it back to our NRLW clubs and bring that next person up,” Taufa said.

“This game is far bigger than us.”

Originally published as Tigers and NSW teammates rally around Sarah Togatuki after tragic loss of sister ahead of NRLW start