15 Feb 2017

Rugby mourns death of Tongan-born All Black

From , 6:00 am on 15 February 2017

Rugby communities in Tonga and New Zealand are reeling from the sudden death of the former All Black, Sione Lauaki, at just 35 years of age.

The Tongan born athlete, played 17 times for New Zealand between 2005 and 2008, but is reported to have developed kidney problems while playing in France in 2012.

He died in Auckland on Sunday from what's understood to be kidney and heart failure.

Lauaki played 70 games for the New Zealand Super Rugby side the Chiefs.

His coach at the Chiefs, Ian Foster, is now the All Blacks assistant coach, and he told Ben Robinson Drawbridge that news of Lauaki's death came as a shock.

Sione Lauaki at an All Blacks training in Christchurch in 2008.

Sione Lauaki at an All Blacks training in Christchurch in 2008. Photo: Photosport