One of Brisbane Broncos' most promising young star centres, Kotoni Staggs, is set to make his debut for Mate Ma'a Tonga this weekend, representing his father who he has never met.
The 20-year-old has defied statistics growing up in a drug epidemic town, Wellington, in western Sydney, and has become one of the brightest young talents in the NRL.
"I love my culture and that's why I'm here," Staggs said, adding that he wants to "learn a bit more about my dad's side".
He has never met his Tongan father, who resides in the US.