International News

Toutai Kefu, the Tonga coach and former Wallabies star, was stabbed

Listen to this Article Now
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
Spread the love

Toutai Kefu, the Tonga coach and former Wallabies player, was critically hurt by intruders at his Brisbane house on Monday, prompting an outpouring of support from the rugby community. The 47-year-old was one of four persons sent to the hospital after a brawl broke out early in the morning when several males burst into the family’s home.

Kefu was reportedly stabbed in the stomach, according to numerous Australian reports. His wife apparently suffered a major arm injury, while his son sustained back lacerations and his daughter’s hand was wounded. Two men have been arrested.

The All Blacks tweeted their support, saying: “Our thoughts are with Toutai Kefu and his family at this time. A warrior on the field and leader off it, we are pulling for you!”. Kefu, 47, was a muscular No.8 who appeared 60 times for Australia during his seven-year international career, making his debut against South Africa in Pretoria in 1997.

He was named Tongan national team head coach in 2016 and guided them to the 2019 World Cup in Japan. Former All Black Great Sonny Bill Williams said his “thoughts and prayers are with my Tongan brother Toutai Kefu & his family” while Samoa head coach Seilala Mapusua urged them to “stay strong.”