In 2021, former Wallabies star Toutai Kefu suffered life threatening injuries when two teenagers stabbed him in the stomach during a violent home invasion.
His wife Rachel was stabbed in the arm and their son Joshua and daughter Madison were also hurt, leaving a scene described by a judge as a “war zone”.
Almost three years on, the two teenagers responsible for the attack have been sentenced to less than 10 years in jail, with one of the two eligible for release in just six months.
READ MORE: Aussie canned fruit growers in limbo as international competition moves in
No convictions were recorded, but remarkably, Toutai said he wasn’t angry.
He said the ordeal had made his family stronger.
“[I’m] more disappointed than angry. The emotion’s probably gone out of it a long time ago,” he told A Current Affair.
“Yeah, look, we’re disappointed but we’re just really happy this is behind us now and we can move on.
“We certainly thought they were going to get a lot more in terms of the sentencing but we were prepared for if they didn’t.”
He admitted the attack had a significant impact on his family.
READ MORE: Desperate families continue their plea for local access to lifesaving drug
“We’re different now. My wife doesn’t sleep anymore. [She] spends 10 minutes every night locking up.
“We’re really diligent around security – the lights, cameras.”
The 15-year-old criminals were searching for keys with a plan to steal the family’s car when they savagely attacked the Kefus.
Both were originally charged with attempted murder but later pleaded guilty to the lesser charges of burglary and malicious acts with intent.
Toutai said the family was looking to move on from the ordeal.
“So we’re thinking about things that are positive in our future, so we’re not giving much thought to what’s happened in the past,” he said.
“All I can do is lead by example and hopefully lead by my actions.
“From the day that it happened I’m thinking about tomorrow and to try and lead this family back on track.”
Queensland’s Attorney General told A Current Affair that if the Director of Public Prosecutions says there are grounds to appeal – she will.
Watch the full video in the player above.