NSW Blues promoter Stefano Utoikamanu will dedicate his first Origin game to his childhood friend and fellow NRL star who shocked the football world when he died after training aged just 20
- Keith Titmuss passed away in November 2020 at just 20 years old
- Collapsed after training with the Sea Eagles
- The death shocked the tight-knit rugby league community
When Stefano Utoikamanu leaves for NSW on June 21, he will not be intimidated by the Queensland parochial crowd at Suncorp Stadium.
Instead, he will give his all in memory of his great buddy, former Sea Eagles young gun Keith Titmuss.
In November 2020, Titmuss tragically died aged just 20 following a pre-season non-contact training session at Narrabeen, Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
The emerging attacker collapsed and his condition quickly deteriorated before he was pronounced dead at the Royal North Shore Hospital.
Titmuss’ passing shook Manly’s playing group – and Utoikamanu, who had been best buddies with the rising star many predicted, was about to achieve great things in the game.
When Stefano Utoikamanu leaves for NSW on June 21, he will not be intimidated by the Queensland parochial crowd at Suncorp Stadium
Instead he will focus on excelling for the Blues in memory of his great friend, former Sea Eagles young gun Keith Titmuss (pictured), who was just 20 when he died three years ago
Utoikamanu has been a standout for the Wests Tigers this season and will come off the bench for NSW
The pair represented the Cabramatta Two Blues in junior rugby league and attended school together at Westfield Sports High.
Utoikamanu was then rated by the Eels and made his first grade debut in 2020, while Titmuss cut his teeth in the lower grades with the Sea Eagles.
He scored the winning try for Manly in the 2017 NYC Under-20s Grand Final before being named the 2019 Jersey Flegg Cup Players’ Player.
Then disaster struck, leaving the rugby league community in disbelief.
“It’s so sad what happened to him,” Utoikamanu said News Corp.
‘We grew up together. You never know what will happen in life. He died so young, it’s a really sad story.’
Utoikamanu, who has been a standout for the Wests Tigers this season, confirmed that he is ‘always thinking about Titmuss’ and there is no doubt that ‘he will watch over me’.
“I will play (Origin II) for him and his family, I love them like brothers,” he added.
“I would have loved to play with him. I have no doubt he would have played many NRL games. He was a weapons player.’