Tommy Butterfield never thought this moment would come.
Despite being picked as a teenager for Papua New Guinea's European tour in 2007, the talented dummy-half had to wait 10 years to make his Test debut, with Butterfield finally getting the chance to represent his country against the Cook Islands as part of the Pacific Test triple-header on Saturday night.
Butterfield came off the bench and injected plenty of spark around the ruck in the 32-22 win, with his speed and vision helping set up Nixon Put for an all-important try midway through the second half.
The 29-year-old played in the NYC for the Brisbane Broncos in 2008 and has gone on to forge impressive careers at the Redcliffe Dolphins and the Easts Tigers in the Intrust Super Cup but had never played for the Kumuls at Test level until now.
"Tonight is the most special moment of my life after the birth of my son."
- Tommy Butterfield.
