Wests Tigers recruit Stefano Utoikamanu opens up on tragic death of best mate Keith Titmuss

As 2020 wasn’t hard enough, young Wests Tiger Stefano Utoikamanu has now had to deal with the loss of his best mate Keith Titmuss.

Parramatta Eels rookie forward Stefano Utoikamanu at training. Picture: Benjamin Cuevas Warning: Not to be used before use in The Daily Telegraph's rookies spread

Stefano Utoikamanu will likely enter the 2021 NRL season with three fresh digits inked onto his body.

Yet it won’t be his new Wests Tigers playing number.

Nor the one he earned debuting with Parramatta this year.

Kayo is your ticket to the best sport streaming Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Stefano Utoikamanu opened up about life without his best mate, Keith Titmuss.

No, the number Utoikamanu has already discussed getting tattooed over the Christmas break is 623 – a tribute to best mate and late Manly Sea Eagles prop Keith Titmuss.

In his first interview as a Wests Tiger, one of rugby league’s most promising forwards has revealed how his new life as ‘Generation Next’ will likely start by getting inked in memory of the late Sea Eagles young gun.

Only two years ago, Utoikamanu and Titmuss were fellow bookends at Westfields Sports High.

A pair of best mates who, even after leaving school to embark on their separate NRL careers, would still catch up daily over the phone to chat life, footy, whatever.

“Which is what I’ll miss most, just talking with him,” the Tigers recruit said.

“We always stayed in contact. Talked almost every day.

“I miss him.

“Miss just having him around.

The funeral of rising Manly star Keith Titmuss.

Titmuss won the 2017 Holden Cup with Manly.

“Everyone who knew him … we all just want to see him smile again.”

Signed from Parramatta in a shock recruitment coup, Utoikamanu was only days into Tigers pre-season when he learned his mate had tragically died following a routine Manly training session.

“So it’s been a s**t time these past few weeks,” he continued.

“But we’ve got a group of close mates and I’m trying to stick around them as much as possible. Check in with them all too as much as I can.

“When your mates are dealing with stuff like this — getting stuck in their own thoughts — it isn’t good.

“But we’re trying to stay positive. Remember all the good times we had.”

Utoikamanu confirmed many of the group – which includes the likes of Tigers centre Tommy Talau and new Sea Eagles recruit Jason Saab – were now getting tattoos in memory of their mate.

“A few of the boys have already got them done,” he explained. “Just a little tribute with Keith’s initials and his player number – 623.

“I’ve thought about getting one, too.

Stefano Utoikamanu spent plenty of time on the training paddock last season.

“It’s hard because something like this, you never think it’ll happen to guys as young as us.

“It’s just … I dunno … I’m still in shock.”

Despite his unhappy start to life as a Tiger, Utoikamanu stressed he was energised by the prospect of “making a mark” on the NRL in 2021.

After agreeing to a deal with the joint-venture club in 2019, the Eels junior had requested an early release so he could play regular NRL footy.

Instead, Parramatta kept the young prop who started the year rated a potential NSW Origin bolter, however played only three games – which included an NRL debut lasting just 10 seconds.

“It was a tough year because (with the COVID situation) if you weren’t playing first grade, you weren’t playing at all,” Utoikamanu said.

“So all you did was train.

“Which didn’t feel good.

Stefano Utoikamanu played three games for the Eels last season. Picture: Benjamin Cuevas

“It’s also hard to stay motivated when you’re training and knowing you won’t play.

“I wanted to leave (Parramatta) this year and come over to Wests Tigers so I could play a few more games than I did.

“But the whole year, I tried to stay positive.

“Just kept grinding.

“I definitely didn’t want to waste the year or arrive at Wests Tigers in bad shape.

“So I tried my hardest and am grateful that I did get to debut with my junior club.”

Asked how he remembers the Round 9 match against Newcastle, which saw him come on to make the last hit up of the game, then get busted for breaching COVID protocols afterwards when he hugged family members in the crowd, Utoikamanu replied: “I just see it as a start.

“I want to be in this game for a long time, which is why I don’t look at my NRL debut too badly.

“I’m not kicking stones about it.

“For me now, I’ve started my career.”