A rugby league superstar, who honoured his father by playing for Samoa last year, has paid a heartfelt tribute to him after he lost his battle with brain cancer.

Jamayne Isaako, a winner of the Dally M award who has also played for the Kiwis, took to social media to share his grief after his father, Taai Isaako, passed away.

“My heart is broken,” Jamayne wrote. “You are my rock and my hero ! No words can express how much this hurts and how I’d give anything to hear your voice once more but Gods army gained another brave and lionhearted soldier today and I know you’ll always be looking down over us.”

In 2019, Jamayne found out just before he made his debut for Toa Samoa against Papua New Guinea that Taai was told he had one week to live from an incurable cancer. The Brisbane Broncos player dedicated his debut game for Samoa to his father.

“Being able to represent Samoa and my Samoan heritage and my father meant a lot to me,” he told Fox Sports.

“Even standing there at the anthem I was thinking about my mum and my dad. It was huge to think about the sacrifices they’ve made for me.”

After his father passed away this week, Jamayne applauded his courage and acknowledged his role in bringing him up.

“You put up one hell of a fight and fought right to the very end despite what anyone said or thought and now you don’t have to suffer anymore pain,” Jamayne wrote.

“Couldn’t have asked for a more loving and caring father I’m so honoured to have called you my dad. I love you more than you’ll ever know. Till we meet again.”

Jamayne had decided to play for Samoa despite having already made his international debut for the Kiwis.