Players for Wests Tigers devastated by potential young prop It finds Mosese Fotuaika dead.
Mosese Fotuaika’s passing has devastated the Wests Tigers team, according to Captain Robbie Farah.
The talented Tigers prop, who was said to have the ability to succeed in rugby league, was discovered dead in a Sydney townhouse throughout the course of the night.
A product of the Tigers’ 2012 premiership-winning under-20 squad, Fotuaika appeared ready to make his NRL debut after being elevated to the senior squad for the recent NRL trial matches.
Officers from Holroyd area command were called to a Merrylands townhouse Friday night at approximately 6:50 p.m. AEDT, according to a NSW police spokesperson.
They confirmed a 20-year-old man was found dead inside the premises and said the death was not being treated as suspicious.
The Tigers released a statement this afternoon to express their sadness at the loss of their young teammate.
“Mosese had a great future ahead of him and we will miss him dearly,” Farah said, in the statement.
“We are a very close knit club and will stick together and support each other during this tough time.”
Tigers CEO Stephen Humphreys said Fotuaika was “a player of great potential and a very popular and respected member of our club.”
“We are all deeply shocked and devastated by the news of his death. I have been in regular contact with his family and partner and are providing them with all of the comfort and support we can in this most difficult time.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with them.
“Our players and staff have met together this morning to support each other. With the assistance of the NRL, we have begun to provide professional counselling as they try to come to terms with what has happened.
“We request everyone to respect the sensitive nature of this situation and the privacy of all concerned.”
NRL Chief Executive, Dave Smith, said the NRL had been in close contact with the club to assist in terms of counselling and support and the “rugby League family will pull together to help people get through this difficult time.”
Teammates took to Twitter to pay tribute.
Tim Moltzen: “Such a sad end to the day. R.I.P big Moses, such a great kid and gone way to young. Be sorely missed by everyone at the club.#brothers.”
Keith Galloway: R.I.P Big Moses! Still in shock u r not here! Hope ur at peace brother! twitter.com/kgalloway85/st
Aaron Woods: RIP Moses absolutely shattered, gone too young
Former Tigers forward Andrew Fifita: “My heart goes out to your family brother. Gone way too soon. Still can’t believe it. Rip brother. #Mosese Fotuaika.”
Gareth Ellis: So sad to hear of Mosese Fotuaika passing away. Thoughts go out to his family and friendswhat sad news for such a young man.
Curtis Sironen: Wish we could of done something to help. Rip mosese
The Balmain Tigers’ Facebook fan page also posted a notice of the loss.
“Thoughts and prayers go out to the wests tigers very own moses Fotuaika and his family during this very difficult time may god help them and watch over them!!” it read.
Fotuaika attended Keebra Park High School in Queensland, the same school as Tigers playmaker Benji Marshall.
NZRL high performance general manager Tony Kemp said it was a sad day for the sport and offered condolences on behalf of the national organisation to Fotuaika’s family.
Kemp was confident Fotuaika had what it took to succeed.
“He was on track because he won player of the day in the NYC (National Youth Competition) final last year,” he remarked.
Mosese had a lot of potential because he was a Junior Kiwi last year, and the majority of our national squad currently consists of Junior Kiwis.
Kemp stated that he didn’t know anything more about Fotuaika’s passing than what had been reported in the media, but he did believe that New Zealand sport should focus more on mental health.
