NSW Blues rookie Keaon Koloamatangi is a 106-kilogram giant but admits to being “a big softie at heart”.
He showed just that as he opened up about his baby daughter Psalms on the cusp of his State of Origin debut, which will arrive when NSW meets Queensland at Sydney Olympic Park on Wednesday night.
“I’m just very grateful that she’s able to see me live out my dream and (that I can) show her that dreams come true,” Koloamatangi told 9News, wiping away tears as he spoke about his daughter.
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“I always get emotional talking about my child because I love her very much.
“I just want to make her proud.
“She fills my life with joy every day and I’m very grateful to go home to her every day.
“I’ve probably never had a purpose in my life to do the thing I do. She’s my purpose.
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“I show affection to the ones I love. I’m a big softie at heart.”
Koloamatangi will form part of a new-look NSW forward pack as the Blues try to deny a Maroons series whitewash.
Jake Trbojevic will return after missing the first two games due to a torn calf, while Jacob Saifiti and Reagan Campbell-Gillard have earned recalls.
Koloamatangi, picked in the second row, is expected by Blues coach Brad Fittler to make strong carries and intimidate his Maroons counterparts.
The 25-year-old is a big and mean enforcer for the Rabbitohs, but battles with self-doubt.
“I’ve sort of struggled like that throughout my whole career, my whole life to be honest. I’m sort of a shy person,” Koloamatangi said.
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“But when I get on the football field I turn sort of different — I find a voice. I’m a bigger player on the field and that’s all I try to do — use my figure.
“I just want to win.
“To do anything to use my body or anything like that, try to intimidate — that’s what I try to do.”
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