Gold Coast captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui has revealed why he was crying his eyes out when presenting younger brother Iszac with his NRL debut jersey.
"Iszac had major surgery at the age of 10. His hips were both out of their sockets and he could have lost both legs from the hips down if he slipped the wrong way, because he would have lost blood flow," Tino told AAP.
"It was a just a growth thing. His body was growing too quick. It is real common in Islanders. We grow so quick that the hip sockets don't match the growth rate so his hips were outside of their sockets.
"After surgery the doctors said he may not play footy again, because of the contact. For him to overcome it and make his NRL debut ... that is amazing.
"When I presented his jersey before we played (the Storm) I think everyone could see how emotional I am about it.
"I was balling my eyes out. I am surprised I could get any words out. I am so proud of him."
Iszac, 21, is a tearaway prop like his older brother and he chalked up a 38-34 win on debut in round three to make Tino even prouder.
The hip surgery wasn't the only obstacle Iszac, now 110kg, had to overcome.
"Being in a wheelchair (after surgery) he gained a lot of weight ... got up to around 140 kilos," he said.
"He lost the weight and came back and snapped his ankle while he was playing rugby for the school.
"Someone leant on his ankle wrong and it snapped straight away.
"I've seen all the hard work that he put in behind the scenes that no-one else saw."
When Iszac travels to away games Tino said he would always be reminded of his brother's bravery.
"Now he has got steel in there. When we go through the airports now all the security systems pick up on it because of all the metal that is pushing his hips back into their sockets," he said.
Tino won a NRL title with Melbourne in 2020, two Origin series with Queensland (2020 and 2022) and a World Cup with the Kangaroos last year. Lining up alongside his brother in the NRL is a pure joy.
"It is a good feeling ... the best feeling," he said.
"Every boy that has a brother that plays rugby league ... that is their dream ... to play alongside them.
"My dream has come true. It is awesome to run out with him. I know he has got my back. I have got his too.
"When he is out there I want to lead from the front and show him what it is all about and that I am going to work for him.
"There were a lot of times last week (against North Queensland) that he was making back-to-back tackles. He saved my arse to be honest.
"He is driving me on to be better each week."
