Canterbury captain Stephen Crichton hopes his golden point field goal heroics in Las Vegas can inspire Samoans around the world – including St George Illawarra rival Setu Tu.
Crichton rekindled memories of his match winning field goal against England to propel Samoa into the final of the last World Cup in 2022 when he slotted the decisive kick to give the Bulldogs a 15-14 victory over the Dragons with just six seconds of extra time remaining in the epic NRL season opener at Allegiant Stadium.
The Bulldogs superstar proved unstoppable when he laid on a first half try for winger Jacob Kiraz from a scrum move that Dragons defenders knew was coming but couldn't prevent.
He was also applauded for showing great sportsmanship for coming to Tu's aid after the rookie winger suffered cramps, which forced him from the field in the 65th minute.
“He is a young Samoan kid, as well, and I remember when it was my debut so I could just imagine how emotional he was, but he definitely killed it out there,” Crichton said of Tu, who was also born in Samoa.
“I am obviously born overseas in Samoa, and I am just trying to shine that light.
We saw another Samoan kid, obviously on the opposite side, but debuting and we could see how proud his family is.
“I just want to shine that light for young Polynesian kids, regardless of whether you are Samoan, that you can make it from wherever you are born.”
Tu’s rise to claim a wing spot with the Dragons in Vegas is an inspirational story after he was forced to overcome the loss of his mother at a young age, his own near-death experience and a knee injury that denied him an NRL debut sooner.
He scored a try on debut in the 59th minute and survived a searching test under the high ball by Bulldogs playmaker Matt Burton.
A father to two young girls, Tu has made many sacrifices along the way and spent the pre-season away from his wife and daughters in a bid to achieve his dream of an NRL debut.
Setu Tu Try
That dream was realised in Vegas and he proudly wore his birth name - Tulelei Tu - embroidered across the chest of the Dragons jersey presented to him the night before by brother Rob in an emotional ceremony at the team’s hotel.
Tu's name comes from his grandfather, who he wanted to honour as a nod to his late mother, Sinaletuna.
Whilst Tu never met his grandfather, he remains a part of the “village” that played a role in raising young Setu in Saleimoa - a village that included aunties, uncles, grandparents, siblings and many others.
But Tu’s rugby league dream was born out of an overseas move to Auckland at age 15 with older brother, Rob, who put his own aspirations on hold out of love for his family.
“When Mum passed away, I was only 15. Tu was only 10,” Rob said.
“Being the older brother was really hard. I had three siblings. We moved over to New Zealand. [Mum’s aunty] goes to me, ‘when I pass away, who’s going to look after Tu?’ And I took that with me to New Zealand… It took a village to raise him.”
As a kid, Tu suffered from panic attacks when playing rugby union including an incident in which he blacked out and woke up at home being told he had almost died.
It prompted Tu’s mother to ban him from contact sport.
Tu’s toughest challenge came a couple years later, however, when he lost his mother to cancer which led to nightmares, moving between different homes, and his village elders coming together.
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An NRL debut was on the cards for Tu in 2024 when at the Warriors. All he needed to do was get through his NSW Cup match unscathed and an NRL call-up would be waiting the following week.
A torn MCL in the first half of the NSW Cup game meant hat Tu’s NRL dream would be put on hold until St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan gave him his chance against the Bulldogs.
A lot had gone into that moment for Tu. A lot had gone into that moment for Tu’s family.
Tulelei Tu may just be two words stitched onto the chest of his debut Dragons jersey. But to them, it represented so much more.
