Brisbane’s Round 1 opener against the Roosters in Las Vegas will hold extra meaning for Kotoni Staggs, with the game to also provide a chance for a special family reunion.
Staggs first met his Tonga-born, but San Francisco-based father (also Kotoni) in 2019 after representing the island nation in their historic win against Australia, but is yet to meet his siblings who live in the United States.
Kotoni Snr is planning to bring them along with him when he flies over to watch his son play live for the first time in the second match of March 3 season opening double header.
I’ve been speaking to my old man, he’s in San Francisco and he’ll fly across and bring my family over to watch me as well,” Staggs said.
“He’s never watched me live; he usually gets the replays in the next day after the game’s over here.
“It will be my first time meeting my brother and sister over there as well … and it’s going to be great to meet them and also all my dad’s family over there.
While all the Broncos players are looking forward to the opportunity to travel and be part of the NRL’s historic event at Allegiant Stadium, Staggs said the squad were focused on starting the new season with a win after putting the disappointment of the grand final result behind them.
“I am looking forward to it, it’s going to be a great trip (but) also, we’re going over to do a job as well,” Staggs said.
“It’s not the way we wanted to end a year and it was pretty tough to take that loss, but I think coaches and players have learnt a lot from that game and if we’re in that position again, hopefully we know what to do in those moments.
