Isaako’s tribute to ill father
Kiwis winger Jamayne Isaako doesn’t know how long he will have his father for but he created an everlasting memory to treasure on Saturday night.
Representing his country in his home town with the voice of his terminally ill father, Taai, ringing through his ears was a night Isaako will never forget.
‘‘It’s up there with one of the best nights I’ve ever had in footy,’’ Isaako told Stuff.
The powerful winger was one of the Kiwis’ best in their 23-8 victory over the Great Britain Lions in Christchurch, kicking five goals, a field goal and being a constant threat for the Lions defence with ball in hand.
Isaako was thrilled to be a part of a Kiwis side which won its first series over the Lions since 1998 but the 23-year-old also knows rugby league games are just a small cog in the context of life.
‘‘I could hear him [Taai] cheering on and yelling out to me throughout the game,’’ Isaako said. ‘‘It was a really proud moment to have my father here.’’
Isaako learned his father had just weeks to live in June because of incurable brain cancer that had started in his nose and spread through his body.
But it didn’t stop his father watching his son play his first Kiwis test in Christchurch. A regular watcher last year, Saturday night was the first time Taai was able to watch his son play live this year.
‘‘Normally he can’t stand or sit for too long before he needs to lay down with what he’s going through at the moment.
‘‘I was so happy to see him there. It really lifted my spirits while I was playing and I was grateful to him for being there,’’ Isaako told Stuff.
The Kiwis arrived in Christchurch last Monday and Isaako made regular visits to see Taai in hospital around his training commitments. He plans to spend the next week or so with his father in Christchurch before
‘‘I was so happy to see him there. It really lifted my spirits.’’
Jamayne Isaako
on his terminally ill father, Taai
returning to Australia.
He first spoke publicly about his father’s illness in July after playing in the NRL Beanie Round, which raised $3.1 million for a brain cancer charity foundation set up by former Newcastle Knights star and cancer survivor Mark Hughes.
Isaako wasn’t just playing for his father but for a large group of family and friends.
‘‘To be able to come back to my home town and represent my country in Christchurch is something I never would have thought possible growing up.
‘‘It was a surreal feeling and I’m still pinching myself.’’
Included in the family group was three generations of Isaakos with the Kiwis star’s one-year-old son Isaiah also in the crowd.
Isaako’s partner Abby Sutherland and Isaiah arrived in Christchurch on Thursday to watch him play in his homecoming test. He said the highlight for Isaiah was eating pizza in the changing rooms after the test.
Kiwis coach Michael Maguire said Isaako has been ‘‘enormous’’ for his side in the last few weeks.
‘‘Obviously with the family situation it’s really nice he was able to perform the way he did and given how proud of a family man he is, it was great.
‘‘To watch him grow from where he was 12 months ago to where he is now . . . he’s going to be one hell of a player if he keeps progressing,’’ Maguire said.