Staggs cherishes Roos debut
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Having represented his dad's Tongan heritage with pride four years ago, Kotoni Staggs was over the moon when Mal Meninga gave him the chance to pull on a Kangaroos jersey and play for his mum's side of the family.
Staggs had just turned 21 when he was part of the Tonga Invitational side's stunning 16-12 win over Australia at Eden Park in 2019.
Starting in the unfamiliar role of halfback, Staggs joined forces with the likes of Michael Jennings, Addin Fonua-Blake and Jason Taumalolo to roll the world champions in front of 25,000 passionate fans in Auckland.
The Broncos powerhouse also represented Tonga in 2022 in a 26-6 loss to New Zealand but come 2023 he found himself in the Kangaroos fold and lapping up every moment of the victory over Toa Samoa in the Pacific Championships opener.
"I always wanted to put that green and gold jersey on and it’s going to be something I cherish for a long time," Staggs told media post-match in Townsville.
"It's the highest honour to play for your country and I thank Mal and the staff for believing in me.
Staggs with the sealer
"You're playing with the best of the best and it was an incredible experience.
"You know what those guys can bring, what they do for their clubs is outstanding, and they just do it for their country as well and it’s good to be a part of it.
"I try to leave everything out on the field whatever jersey I play in and what I did tonight was definitely for my country and for my family."
It's those family ties that have motivated Staggs on his rapid rise from an NRL debut for Brisbane as a teenager in 2018 to a Blues Origin jersey last year and Test matches for Tonga and Australia.
"When I got that opportunity to play for Tonga it was to pay respects to my old man, I never met him until after the game against Australia," Staggs said.
"To do that for him... I didn't grow up around that side [of the family] so I wanted to get my dad’s culture and mix in with them, but I always wanted to put the green and gold jersey on as well.
"My mum is Aussie and Aboriginal as well and I was born here as well so to be able to represent both my parents is massive for me.
"I couldn't do it without my grandma, she passed away a few years ago, every time I go on the field I do it for her."
Among the Kangaroos' best in the 38-12 triumph, Staggs ran for 195 metres and capped a dream debut with a try in the final minute of the match courtesy of a Daly Cherry-Evans grubber.
With World Cup winner Val Holmes available for Australia's next game against the Kiwis on October 28, Staggs knows he is no certainty to be selected, but he is comfortable in the knowledge he made the most of his opportunity.
"Whatever Mal decides I will be happy enough to miss out if I have to and the other boys play, but we'll see what happens," he said.
"I haven’t been home since the grand final so it will be good to spend some time with the family and relax and then we'll come back together in Melbourne.
"I put everything out there and what I did tonight was definitely for my country and for my family."
