A devastated Jazz Tevaga led tributes to lifelong friend and former One New Zealand Warriors teammate Roman Tuhimata, who lost his battle with cancer on Tuesday.
Coming through the Papakura Sea Eagles together, Tevaga and Tuhimata went on to become teammates in the Junior Warriors’ NYC (National Youth Competition) under-20 side in 2015.
Tuhimata made four NYC appearances that year before continuing his playing career at club level in Auckland with both the Sea Eagles and the Howick Hornets.
In November 2022 at the age of just 27, Tuhimata was diagnosed with DSRCT Sarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer but lost his fight a little more than two years later.
On his Instagram account 138-game Warrior Tevaga, now with Manly Warringah, posted: “Sometimes life isn’t fair. The biggest lesson I have taken from Roman’s passing is to not take this life we have for granted. We are easily caught up in the bullshit & we forget what’s most important. Your family, your friends. Stay true to them. Live a healthy lifestyle.
“You fought hard as fk brother. Right to the very end. This world isn’t going to be the same without you.
“You passed on Feb 18th. Malia’s Birthday. A day I will shed a tear with a smile to celebrate both you & her.
Love you forever Masi ❤️🩹”
A memorial service was held for Tuhimata at Go Media Stadium on Sunday.
“We’re deeply saddened to hear about Roman losing his battle after such a courageous fight,” said One New Zealand Warriors CEO Cameron George.
“We send our thoughts to his family and close friends. We know he was proud to wear our jersey and he will forever be remembered as a Warrior.”
On behalf of the family, the Papakura Sea Eagles posted on their Facebook page: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved son, partner, brother and uncle Roman Tuhimata. In accordance with Roman’s wishes, we kindly ask that visitors refrain from coming to the family homestead to allow us the privacy and time to grieve. However, all are welcome to attend his memorial service.”
On a Givelittle page created to raise support for Tuhimata in late 2022, the blurb read: “Roman endured months of pain and discomfort while working, eventually forcing him to wear his tool belt around his neck. Multiple trips to A&E and to the hospital resulted in being discharged prematurely, after conducting many different tests. Once the seriousness of the situation was realised, a PET scan showed the tumour that began in his abdomen, had now spread to his liver and spleen resulting in a stage 4 cancer diagnosis.”
After learning of Tuhimata’s diagnosis, Tevaga shaved his head and pledged $10.00 for every tackle he made during the 2023 NRL season, $1.00 for every metre gained and $500 per try (he made 276 tackles, gained 1044 metres and scored one try.
