"True great" of world rugby dies at 52
<p dir="ltr">All Blacks teammate Vaâaiga Tuigamala, known as âInga the Wingerâ to fans, has <a href="https://wwos.nine.com.au/rugby/vaaiga-tuigamala-former-all-blacks-winger-dies-at-52/a476dfff-65a7-4af6-b9c2-887c72576396" target="_blank" rel="noopener">died</a> aged 52.</p>
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<p dir="ltr">New Zealand Rugby confirmed the news on Friday, describing Tuigamala as an âicon and inspirationâ who achieved things âon and off the field others could only dream ofâ.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">An icon and an inspiration. Va'aiga Tuigamala is an all-time great who achieved things on and off the pitch others could only dream of.</p>
<p>All Black number 900, you will never forgotten. đłđżđŒđž <a href="https://t.co/QPWVJOaQCO">pic.twitter.com/QPWVJOaQCO</a></p>
<p>â All Blacks (@AllBlacks) <a href="https://twitter.com/AllBlacks/status/1496914705679814657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">Tuigamala played 19 tests for New Zealand and 23 for Samoa, and has been described as the first winger who used his size to run through opponents rather than around them.</p>
<p dir="ltr">He later switched to rugby league and played 100 matches for English club Wigan, as well as playing for Samoa.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Near the end of his career he returned to rugby, and signed with Englandâs Newcastle Falcons for a fee of $1 million, which was thought to be a world record at the time.</p>
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<p dir="ltr">He was a fan favourite, a popular teammate, and known for his persistent smile and positive outlook.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A true great who gave everything on the field for New Zealand and Samoa </p>
<p>RIP Vaâaiga Tuigamala <a href="https://t.co/2ojl9DeO6p">pic.twitter.com/2ojl9DeO6p</a></p>
<p>â Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) <a href="https://twitter.com/rugbyworldcup/status/1496846224317628418?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">Tuigamalaâs cause of death hasnât been confirmed, and comes just weeks after his younger sister, Helen Verry, died following an accident at a West Auckland Church.</p>
<p dir="ltr">âI suppose some of you have already heard the sad news of the passing of my baby sister Helen Verry,â he <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/all-black-and-samoa-rugby-legend-vaaiga-tuigamala-inga-the-winger-dies-aged-52/HH6WUQ5N4V3WLJFXP5HVWPRHP4/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a> on Facebook at the time.</p>
<p dir="ltr">âThe youngest of 15 of us. Helen, we miss you so dearly and words would never be enough to fill the hole you have left.â</p>
<p dir="ltr">Prior to his death, Tuigamala was about to launch a new video series where he talked openly about his health struggles, including his recent diagnosis with type two diabetes.</p>
<p dir="ltr">In a trailer for the series, Tuigamala said he âwas facing an early graveyardâ and spoke of his familyâs history with strokes.</p>
<p dir="ltr">âWhen I say early grave, my father died at the age of 48 from a stroke. He wasnât obese, but he had a stroke and died and left 15 children to my mum to look after,â he siad in the clip.</p>
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<p dir="ltr">âI suppose for me, I just donât want to be another statistic. ⊠The reality is, unfortunately Iâve been diagnosed with type two diabetes recently. Iâm obese as you can see. High blood pressure, I had a stroke about nine years ago. I have really - in rugby terms - just dropped the ball.â</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic news that Vaâaiga (Inga) Tuigamala has passed away. He was a fine player, a true superstar. My deepest condolences go to his family and friends at this difficult time.</p>
<p>â Sir Bill Beaumont (@BillBeaumont) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillBeaumont/status/1496900051385425937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">Tributes to the rugby legend have emerged online from leading figures in both sports, as well as from the teams he represented over the years.</p>
<p dir="ltr">âHe was a fine player, a true superstar,â Bill Beaumont, the chairman of World Rugby, said. âMy deepest condolences go to his family at this difficult time.â</p>
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<p dir="ltr">Jason Robinson, Tuigamalaâs former teammate at the Wigan Warriors, said the man had changed his life.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Absolutely heartbroken!đ I owe so much to this amazing man! Literally helped change my life when he came to âŠ<a href="https://twitter.com/WiganWarriorsRL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WiganWarriorsRL</a>â© from NZ. Sending all my love and condolences to the family at such a sad time. RIP brother đąđđœ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Inga?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Inga</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VaigaTuigamala?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VaigaTuigamala</a> âŠâŠ<a href="https://twitter.com/Apollo11Rugby?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Apollo11Rugby</a>â© <a href="https://t.co/uwyDgrXqRW">pic.twitter.com/uwyDgrXqRW</a></p>
<p>â Jason Robinson OBE (@Jason15Robinson) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jason15Robinson/status/1496797442561527812?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">âI owe so much to this amazing man. Literally helped change my life when he came to Wigan Warriors from NZ. Sending all my love and condolences to the family at such a sad time,â he tweeted.</p>
<p dir="ltr">âAn icon and an inspiration,â the All Blacks tweeted, along with a throwback photo and emojis depicting the New Zealand and Samoan flag. </p>
<p dir="ltr">âVaâaiga Tuigamala is an all-time great who achieved things on and off the pitch others could only dream of.</p>
<p dir="ltr">âAll Black number 900, you will never be forgotten.â</p>
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<p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>