Va'aiga Tuigamala passes away aged 52 , Joeli Vidiri also passed away aged 48.

Quin_Dub

Va'aiga Tuigamala died aged 52

Terribly sad news - The Prototype "Big" Winger, "Inga the Winga"

Always remember watching him playing against Leinster in Lansdowne Rd and him absolutely smashing Fergus Dunlea under a high ball and knocking him cold.

RIP.

UPDATE -

Joeli Vidiri died this morning, aged just 48.

Losty Dublin

Sad sad news.

Naturally strong, agile and fearless, All Black 900 was somebody that you would genuinely be scared of on the playing field; yet off the field he epitomised gentlemanliness. At a time when rugby was on the cusp of turning professional, Va'aiga was one of the real stand out players in the game at the time. In 1994 he turned pro with Wigan RLFC and won a cabinet full of trophies, before atoning his sins and joining Wasps, before becoming rugby's most expensive player when being transferred to Newcastle. He also swapped black for blue, making his debut for Manu Samoa versus Ireland on a cold November night in Lansdowne Road having been capped twice for them at League.

Va'iaga retired back to New Zealand and did missionary and charity work before being spurred to set up an undertaker after many of his friends had died prematurely. He had been dealing with Type 2 Diabetes in recent years and suffered a stroke in 2016; ironically he was about to release a series to help people deal with Diabetes and vascular conditions.

One of his best tries from the Final Challenge of 1993. The pure speed from a standing start; that dummy he throws from a mere wink is sublime.

https://youtu.be/7XiDVoBmtug

Sadly, he also lost his sister Holly in recent weeks. May his peace be restful and his extended family be granted solace.

joedamuss

RIP to a great rugby player and human being, much the same as Johna Lomu he was feard by opposition world wide and was a clean hard player, they will have some cráic smashing each other up above.

Quin_Dub

More sad news , Joeli Vidiri died today aged 48

Another taken far far too soon.