Bronco’s star Jamayne Isaako paid an emotional tribute to his late father Taai, who unfortunately lost his courageous battle with incurable cancer.
The New Zealand test wing went to Instagram to praise his father’s fighting spirit and thank him for the profound impact he had on his life and career.
“My heart is broken. You are my rock and my hero!” Isaako wrote accompanied by a photo of him and his father after a kiwi test game.
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“No words can express how much it hurts and how I would give anything to hear your voice again, but God’s army has won another brave and lion-hearted soldier today, and I know that you will always look down on us .
“You fought a hell of a lot and fought to the end despite what someone said or thought, and now you don’t have to be in pain anymore.
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“I couldn’t have asked for a more loving and caring father. It is a great honor for me to have called you my father. I love you more than you will ever know. Until we meet again.”
Almost a year ago, Isaac’s father was told the terrible news that he had a week to live due to cancer of the nose that spread to his brain and body.
“At some point he had only a few weeks to live when I went home. It’s been a month now and he managed to do well, ”Isaako told NRL.com last July.
“He does his treatment and chemotherapy and all the softness helps him. If he can go on, hopefully he can go on living.
“He definitely inspires me. When I returned home, the club gave me as much time as I needed and I planned to stay until I knew it was stable.
“He sat me down and talked to me and wanted me to come back to Australia. That’s why I came back earlier than expected. It motivates me to keep training and playing, and it has really been shown in the past two weeks since I returned. I get more confidence because I know that my father is better.
“He was diagnosed at the beginning of March. The symptoms have appeared since he found out, and then he got really bad. He is making great strides, which are positive signs.
“He’s 49, it’s his 50th birthday next year, so we hope he can do it.”
The fact that Isaac’s father was able to live for almost a year after a week of living is evidence of his character and fighting spirit.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Isaako family during his sad time.
Rest it peace taai.
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