Tonga's players were nervous before their match against England in Perth last weekend, as Haumole Olakau'atu prepared to lead the Sipi Tau for the first time.
Teammate Isaiya Katoa said the Manly forward had struggled with the words during rehearsals throughout the week.
"He must have stuffed it up three or four times - we were nervous going into the game," Katoa said.
"He said the wrong words at the wrong time. He definitely needed a few takes. We started giving him some slack for stuffing it up."
The honour recognised Olakau'atu's development as a leader over the past few seasons.