Footy star reveals the awful effects of losing his mother when he was just 12 years old – and how he ‘almost died’ during a match

The remarkable rugby league story of St George Illawarra Dragons winger Setu Tu has been revealed just days before he is set to make his NRL debut in Las Vegas.

Tu lost his mother to cancer at just 12 years old, but overcame the tragedy and a dangerous incident that saw him banned from playing all contact sport.

‘That’s when life started for me,’ the Dragons winger told News Corp.

‘I was a mummy’s boy. I always followed her around. Wherever she went, I went.

‘When she was gone, it was tough. I couldn’t sleep without her.

‘It took about eight months to get used to sleeping on my own because I was having nightmares.’

Setu Tu (pictured) has been named to make his NRL debut for the St George Illawarra Dragons against the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs in Las Vegas

Tu (pictured) played for the New Zealand Warriors at NSW Cup level

Tu was born and raised in the small Samoan village of Saleimoa and still holds strong ties to his community.

After his mother’s death, he was looked after by numerous local elders.

‘I spent time at four families and their houses,’ he said.

‘Everyone put their hand up to be around us.’

The man set to become the newest St George Illawarra player never thought he would reach this milestone.

Tu was banned from contact sport by his mum at just eight years old after a terrifying incident in which he ‘almost died’ during a rugby match.

Tu was so anxious when playing footy that he would shake uncontrollably and suffer panic attacks.

‘I’d freak out,’ he said.

The Dragons winger (pictured) impressed many in the 2026 NRL pre-season challenge

Tu (pictured playing for the Warriors) has overcome huge obstacles to make it to one of the game’s biggest stages in Las Vegas

‘I would just start shaking,’ Tu added.

‘I remember this one time I was playing footy and I woke up in the middle of the house and they said I almost died.

‘I started shaking after taking a carry.’

Eventually, Tu began playing contact sport again and used it as an outlet to escape from his troubles.

The 26-year-old winger also suffered a heartbreaking near miss.

He was set to make his NRL debut for the New Zealand Warriors in 2024 but that fell through after he suffered a knee injury.

After an encouraging chat with St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan last year, Tu made his move to the Red V.