Dally M Awards host is left shocked as the NRL’s night of nights comes to a spine-tingling end after ‘powerful mark of respect’

Jahrome Hughes was moved to tears on Wednesday night after he was honoured with a powerful Haka by several team-mates at the NRL Dally M awards.

Earlier in the evening, Hughes had pipped Roosters’ fullback James Tedesco to the coveted Dally M medal by a mere point in the final round of votes. 

The 29-year-old New Zealand star has enjoyed a standout season for the Storm, scoring 12 tries while also returning a whopping 26 assists for the Grand Finalists. 

But as host Yvonne Sampson was drawing a close to the ceremony three of halfback’s team-mates rushed towards the stage to honour Hughes. 

‘Congratulations to Jahrome Hughes from the Melbourne Storm and Olivia Kernick from the Sydney Roosters, your 2024 Dally M Medal winners,’ Sampson said.  

The trio stepped forward to the stage where the award winners were stood to perform the Haka

Host Yvonne Sampson (left) called the moment a ‘powerful mark of respect’ before concluding the awards evening  

‘We will get you into the centre of the stage for our final shot and that concludes our 2024 Dally M Medal…’ she added before she was interrupted by Storm players Will Warbrick and Eliesa Katoa as well as Raiders and Kiwis team-mate Joe Tapine. 

The trio began to perform the Haka in front of the main stage where the award winners were stood. 

The spine-tingling moment left Hughes looking moved and after the trio had performed the traditional Maori war dance, Hughes stepped forward from the stage to embrace Warbric, Katoa and Tapine. 

‘A powerful mark of respect and what it means in this great game of ours in the NRL,’ Sampson said after the Haka.

‘Ladies and gentlemen once again please congratulate our Dally M Medallists for 2024 and of course all of our winners right throughout what has been such an exceptional evening.

‘Goodnight to you all and of course enjoy our Grand Final on Sunday.’

Hughes appeared to be visibly taken aback by the touching moment from his team-mates

Hughes will be hoping to lead his side to their first premiership in four years on Sunday

Hughes will be hoping to lead his side to their first premiership in four years on Sunday as the Storm set out to put a spanner in Penrith’s hopes of winning their fourth-straight NRL title. 

The halfback, though, stated that it was a ‘surreal’ feeling to win the Dally M. 

‘It’s quite surreal to be honest,’ Hughes said. ‘I didn’t think I’d ever get the opportunity to win this award. I’ve got butterflies at the moment.

‘I’m so honoured to be able to win it, I’m speechless.’