Stefano Utoikamanu is doing this as much for his brother as for himself.

The drive that has made him a potential Blues Origin bolter and the subject of a tug-of-war between two rival NRL clubs – before he has even made a single first-grade appearance – comes from a source very close to home.

The teenage sensation’s dream is to make it in the NRL, one that he will likely fulfil this season at Parramatta, rather than his future employers at Wests Tigers. It was an ambition once shared by his older brother Filia, who was also a gun junior coming through the Eels ranks.

Stefano Utoikamanu could be the NRL's next big thing. Credit:NRL.COM

However, Filia’s rugby league career came to a shattering halt in 2017 when he broke his neck in a lower-grade fixture. It was a huge setback for the family and ended any hopes of the siblings running onto the field together at the highest level.