Samoa’s Josh Schuster moved to tears before Cook Island clash

One star was moved to tears in incredible scenes as rugby league’s rep footy round delivered spine tingling moments in spades.

Josh Schuster was going through a lot. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Emotions were running high during rugby league’s rep round.

Saturday kicked off with spectacular scenes out of New Zealand as the Kiwis defeated Tonga as spine-tingling scenes before the game took centre stage.

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Brandon Smith was nearly in tears before representing New Zealand for the eighth time. And before Samoa played the Cook Islands at Campbelltown Stadium, even more players were shedding tears.

However, for Samoan five-eighth Josh Schuster, there was much more behind his emotional response.

Josh Schuster was remembering his mate. Photo: Fox Sports

The Manly Sea Eagles star, who debuted for Samoa in the match, said beforehand: “I am definitely going to cry knowing how much it means to my family.”

Schuster’s international debut was also always going to be a bittersweet occasion after the death of his childhood friend and former teammate Keith Titmuss in 2020.

The 20-year-old tragically died during a training session after he began to feel ill and told staff he was suffering from cramps. He was transported to hospital by ambulance and died soon after, leaving the NRL world in shock.

Although Titmuss was yet to play a first grade match, he was training with Manly’s senior squad and hoped to debut in 2021, but never had the chance.

Schuster told the Sea Eagles website he would be thinking of Titmuss when he put on his Samoa kit.

“We always said in school what it would mean to represent Samoa together,’’ Schuster reflected.

“So, when I sing the anthem, I will be looking into the sky saying to Keith, ‘we’ve done it brother’.”

Schuster’s family also represented Samoa at the elite level, including his grandfather, great uncle and uncle all representing the nation in both rugby league and rugby union.

Another brilliant feature of the Pacific Island clashes is the war dances before the game and the Samoa Sipi Tau and Cook Islands Haka did not disappoint.

Incredible scenes. 🙌

Samoa v Cook Islands | LIVE on 9Gem and 9Now #9WWOS#NRLpic.twitter.com/TujXttrbaa

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The eighth ranked Samoa defeated the 22nd ranked Cook Islands 42-12. But despite the one-sided scoreline, the pride and passion on display across the weekend will ensure international rugby league is here to stay.