On the field Tetevano was flying. The Kiwi was making his New Zealand Test debut against Australia and Great Britain.

But off it, he could feel his NRL dream slipping away.

Squeezed out of the Sydney Roosters and unsigned headed into November, Tetevano was ready to take up an offer to join Warrington in the Super League.

"But then my partner Mikayla said to me, are you honestly really ready to go?" Tetevano told AAP.

"Because I think she felt that the 2019 year, she felt it for me. She felt the emotional side of that.

"She just goes, 'do you really think you're ready and done with the NRL'?

"I was content, I was pretty happy. Life goes on. But then she said to wait. Just hold off and have another crack in the NRL."

And so Tetevano listened. And waited. Until eventually Hayden Knowles called.

Tetevano had worked with Knowles at both Newcastle and the Roosters, before the highly-regarded performance director linked with Penrith.

"He asked what I was doing next year. At that point I didn't really know to be honest," Tetevano said.

"He said, 'let me have a chat to Ivan (Cleary) and see if we have any room for you'.

"And then he rang me back and said let's catch up."

Within a month, Tetevano was signed, sealed and delivered to Penrith on a two-year deal.

And he's repaid them in bucketloads.

The 29-year-old has given their bench some crucial experience, while proving as reliable in defence as they had expected when they approached him.

"Whoever gave me the first call I was ready to rock and roll," Tetevano said.

Tetevano can see the beauty in the sliding doors moment from both Mikayla and Knowles.

As northern England prepares to move into further lockdowns due to COVID-19, the front-rower is enjoying his third straight grand final week.

But this year it comes with a difference.

In 2018 he was on the park when the Roosters lifted the trophy.

He played 24 games last year before being the unlucky man to make way for a fit-again Jake Friend in the decider.

It prompted Roosters coach Trent Robinson to give Tetevano his ring, as he declared telling the forward he was out the toughest moment of the week.

"Every year has had its different journey and different story," Tetevano said.

"I have always been grateful for every opportunity I got at the Roosters. And in 2019, that's what had to happen.

"That's what was best for the team so I just took it and rode with it."

Australian Associated Press