LeagueNews.co | Nick Loken
In a remarkable NRL debut, Hohepa Puru, affectionately known as 'Pep' among the Raiders, was given the opportunity to start as a forward in the team's most significant game of the season.
Facing off against formidable opponents such as Cameron McInnes and his crew from the Sharks, Puru could have easily been overwhelmed by the pressure.
However, his coach and teammates made sure he felt right at home in the arena, providing him with the necessary pep talk.
Despite being only 21 years old, Puru was entrusted with the crucial lock position, a testament to his talent and potential.
The self-doubt that may have plagued him was quickly extinguished when he discovered that it was his fellow teammates who had advocated for him to take the place of the suspended Corey Horsburgh.
This game would determine which team would secure home ground advantage for the first week of the finals, making it all the more significant.