Probably not known to many Saffers but was sad to hear of the sudden death of Samoan legend, prop Peter Fatialofa who was part of that great Auckland team of the 80's and played a part I think in the first 2 RWC playing for Samoa. A mountain of a man and player who gave so much to Samoa rugby and probably was the man responsible for making a small island into a powerful rugby nation. RIP "Fats".
Reports say Fatialofa was taken ill suddenly and died this morning. It is understood Fatialofa had a heart attack while driving in Samoa and died in his car.
Reports in Samoa said he managed to pull the car into the car park of the T & N Toleafoa Supermarket in Apia around 7am.
He was found in the car by a security guard who found no pulse and applied CPR but Fatialofa failed to respond.
Fatialofa had been due to co-host his usual morning show on Radio Polynesia and the station became concerned when he didn't arrive.
His car was parked just around the corner and his co-host and radio owner Mapusua Corey Keil was stunned when he learned of the death.
Twitter was abuzz with shock amongst the Samoan and general rugby communities.
Fatialofa played for Manu Samoa between 1988 and 1996, making 34 test appearances.
He played two World Cups, including captaining Samoa at the 1991 tournament where they made a huge impact. He was honoured with a place in the World XV from that tournament.
The Ponsonby club stalwart played 72 games for Auckland and was part of their stunning Ranfurly Shield reign from 1985 to 1993.
The burly prop was often the custodian of the Log o'Wood and became a cult figure with his strength honed from working his furniture removal business and became known as New Zealand's most famous piano-mover.
Fatialofa was also a passionate coach and his career included stints in Auckland club rugby and with the Samoan test team.
He was the current coach of the Samoan women's team who recently qualified for next year's World Cup.Fatialofa was a made a Member of the New Zealand Order of merit in 1996 for his services to rugby.
He then moved back to Samoa, where last year he set up a tour company, Fats Tours.
"I wanted to build something up here in Samoa for my family," he told Fairfax Media last year.
"One day when they've got older and want to come home, they will have something to come home to.
"I am just trying to do what my dad did for us. That's the reason why I've come back."
Fatialofa spent much of his childhood in Samoa before bursting on to the Auckland rugby scene with his powerhouse performances for the famed Ponsonby club side.
New Zealand would always be special to him. But he said he also owed Samoa a lot.
"Obviously Auckland rugby gave me my name, but Samoa took me to the international level," Fatialofa said.
"I have always liked coming back to Samoa. My dad is buried here and I have family here.
"It has been 20 or 30 years since I have come back to settle down for a while. I love it . . . I just have to get the work."
Journalist Phil Gifford, who worked with Fatialofa on his biography Fats: Peter Fatialofa and the Manu Samoa Story that was published in 1996, described the man as "larger than life" and one of the real characters of the rugby scene who was revered both in New Zealand and Samoa.
"He was hugely passionate about Samoan rugby and a real driving force of that 1991 World Cup where they really made their name," Gifford said, adding that he was shocked by the news of Fatialofa's death.
"Not only was he captain but he did a huge amount of work in the leadup with fundraising, just to make sure the players had a bit of a daily allowance.
"The British media loved him because he gave such colourful interviews."
Auckland Rugby issued a statement saying they were "mourning the loss of the one of this union's much-loved rugby personalities".
Board member and former team-mate Gary Whetton was saddened to hear of Fatialofa's passing.
"He was the ultimate team man - on the field he was huge and off the field such a gentleman. I am so sad for Anne and his family - we have all lost a brilliant man," Whetton said.
Whetton recalls Fatialofa was given the important role of 'Keeper of the Shield'.
"When we won the Ranfurly Shield in 1985, 'Fats' was charged as being the Keeper of the Shield. It was his job to keep it safe, to make sure it came on the road with us - he had to know where it was at all times, and I think a lot of those times it was at his house!"
