Rugby legend Joeli Vidiri has died, aged 48.
The former All Blacks and Fiji winger's death was announced by his former Super Rugby club, the Blues, on social media on Friday evening.
"It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Blues legend Joeli Vidiri, aged 48," they wrote.
"The term 'GOAT' is used frequently these days, more than it should. In the case of Joeli, the title truly fits - one of the greatest Blues & Fijian players of all time.
"During his career, he amassed 62 games, scored 43 tries and won two championships. RIL to Blues Brother No.21 Joeli Vidiri."
The news comes the same day that former All Blacks and Manu Samoa legend Inga 'The Winger' Tuigamala also passed away, aged 58.
Over the past 20 years, Vidiri had battled kidney issues that curtailed his career, after a period when both he and Blues teammate Jonah Lomu required dailysis treatment to keep playing.
After seven appearances for Fiji in 1994/95, Vidiri switched allegiances, after graduating from Counties Manukau to the Blues, where he formed a lethal one-two punch with Lomu. He played two matches for the All Blacks in 1998, but also helped New Zealand to Commonwealth Games sevens gold at Kuala Lumpur that same year.
Vidiri blazed a trail for 'Flying Fijians' on the NZ rugby landscape, and was succeeded by Joe Rokocoko, Setiveni Sivivatu, Waisake Naholo and most recently Sevu Reece in the black jersey.
