Former All Blacks and Samoa star Va'aiga Tuigamala has died, aged 52.
Affectionately know as 'Inga the winger', the rampaging back played 19 tests for the All Blacks between 1991 and 1993, before later switching to Manu Samoa in 1996, going on to play 23 tests for his country of heritage.
In 1994, Tuigamala crossed over to rugby league, playing over 100 games for UK powerhouse Wigan. He played two tests for Samoa at the 1995 World Cup.
Tuigamala's death comes just weeks after his younger sister, Helen Verry, died due to an accident at a West Auckland church, who was the youngest of his 14 siblings.
The cause of Tuigamala's death is unconfirmed. He was set to launch a video series in which he talks openly about his health struggles, including being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes last year.
"The reality was, I was facing an early graveyard," Tuigamala says in a preview video of the series, Project ODICE (obesity diabetes intervention champion evangelist).
"When I say early grave, my father died at the age of 48 from a stroke. He wasn't obese, but he had a stroke and died and left 15 children to my mum to look after.
"I suppose for me, I just don't want to be another statistic. Hence the reason ODICE was born. The reality is unfortunately I've been diagnosed with type two diabetes recently. I'm obese as you can see. High blood pressure, I had a stroke about nine years ago. I've really - in rugby terms - just dropped the ball."
Renowned for his bruising yet fleet-footed approach to wing play, Tuigamala was a fixture in the Auckland teams of the early 90s which dominated provincial rugby in New Zealand.
He made his official test debut for the All Blacks against USA during the 1991 World Cup. He finished with four tries to his name through his four-year tenure in the black jersey.
The switch to rugby league was highly successful, with Tuigamala helping Wigan to three league titles and two Challenge Cups with 62 tries during his five years in the north of England.
In 1996, he made his test debut for Manu Samoa against Ireland, before becoming a key member of their squad at the 1999 World Cup.
He finished his playing career in 2002 with England's Newcastle, where he made over 100 appearances.
After he'd hung his boots, Tuigamala acted as an advisor for heavyweight boxer, good friend, and fellow Samoan David Tua, before starting his own funeral company in west Auckland.
In 2008, Tuigamala was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to rugby and community.
Tuigamala was heavily involved with the Samoan community in Auckland, joining Tua on a trip to Samoa in 2009 help in the recovery from the devastating Tsunami that tore through the small island nation.
