Tu's Las Vegas debut launched his St George-Illawarra rise.
After scoring 13 tries in 14 NSW Cup appearances for the Warriors, he has 10 tries in 18 Dragons games.
His Round 23 try beat the Sharks, while a 2027 Top 30 plan became promotion before June 30.
In early 2025, he moved alone to Melbourne for a Storm trial; later, he left his wife and children in New Zealand, returning to Auckland after his stepfather died and his wife became pregnant.
Tu said:
"I didn't see them until Christmas and then again before March. On top of that I had to learn a new system at the Dragons. Everything was new and different, and I admit it was challenging. But I feel like I adapted to it all pretty well in the end which allowed me to train well and have a good pre-season."
That preparation earned his surprise call-up during a turbulent Dragons season.