Va’aiga Tuigamala’s legacy spans the world

Rugby legend Inga the Winger is being fondly remembered as a giant of the game.

Va’aiga Tuigamala has died at the age of 52.

He was born in Samoa and played 19 tests for the All Blacks between 1991 and 1993 and, later, 23 tests for Manu Samoa from 1996.

In between he switched to rugby league and played more than 100 matches for English club Wigan.

He played club rugby for Ponsonby and provincial rugby for Auckland going on to play his first game for the All Blacks in 1989 before making his test debut in 1991 – against the United States at the 1991 World Cup.

Former All Black and Auckland coach Sir John Hart played a large part in Tuigamala’s career.

“I came into contact with him when he was very young – 18 or 19 – in New Zealand Colts teams and he was just a dynamic player on the field and a really nice person off it.

“He was always the same – a great giver throughout his life never a taker and someone people had huge respect for.

“He had a special career when you look back at his time with the All Blacks, then going into league with Wigan and then returning to rugby with Newcastle and also playing for Manu Samoa at the World Cup.

“All round just a fantastic career.”

Former All Black, teammate and friend Saveatama Eroni Clarke shared a similar sentiment.

“He was so unassuming, he was charismatic, if he scored a try that smile would light up everything.

“People have often asked me who was the hardest centre that I’ve ever marked and I would honestly and clearly say to them it wasn’t a centre, he was a winger and he was one of the hardest guys that I’ve ever had to try and stop it was Inga.

“Because he’d be right in front of you one second and the next he’d be sidestepping you and I don’t know how loose forwards were able to even follow him and certainly as a defender I found it really hard to tackle him, it was just a swing of those hips and the thighs and the step.”

Sir Michael Jones and Clarke grew up within a stones throw of Tuigamala in West Auckland and Sir Michael had fond memories of watching Tuigamala, the boy with the afro from Kelston Boys, come on the scene.

“He just tore up not just in the grounds of West Auckland and Aotearoa but in the Pacific and in the world and when he crossed codes he did the same.

Michael Jones and Inga Tuigamala in 1992.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

“I think that’s testament to one of the most majestic rugby players and athletes I’ve ever seen. Majestic in the sense that he was all power and all pace but he was all style and he was just so fleet-footed.”

Sir Michael said Tuigamala took great pride in being “the first full-blooded Pacific Islander” in the All Blacks.

“I always thought this was unique for him, there were All Blacks that had gone before him that were Pacific Island heritage but he’d always say I’m the first full-blooded Pacific Island Samoan boy and it set him apart.

“I suppose he was a real professional before his time, he really did set the benchmark for another generation of aspiring young, not just Pacific Islanders and Samoan kids but Kiwis and British young people. So his legacy is so huge and significant… he’s influenced so many people in his life.”

Tuigamala’s “cheeky sense of humour” saved him a few times and Sir Michael believes it helped the winger build resilience and “bounce back” when life was tough.

“He had failings and he was a warts and all guy but even through that you just loved him for just the way he was.”

Sir Michael also remembers the times he had to lean on Tuigamala.

“Throughout my life he was like a tonic for me personally, there’ll be times when I was a bit down or things weren’t going well and he’s walk in to my life or we’d go out for lunch and he’s just bring that smile and that personality and it was full of joy despite what his circumstances were and what he was going through he just brought a beautiful joy.

“All of us who hung out with him we were so blessed and we were so uplifted by him. The hole that he has left in our hearts is huge.”

Tuigamala had endured health problems – he suffered from obesity and had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and nine years ago suffered a mild stroke.

But Clarke said Tuigamala was on a “crusade” to turn his health around.

“Over the last six months it was one of the things he really began to focus on changing, he knew that in order for him to be healthy and in order for him to be an influencer that he needed to be the example.

“If Inga was really passionate about something, if it was really something he really believed in, he would go to it with such zeal and tenacity and I saw that and he knew that to be the good example he needed to ensure that he lived it.”

Jordan Tuigamala with his dad in 2013.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Sir Michael said: “The taonga or treasure around his life was that he always put others first, he always gave of himself for the sake of others to life them up, to build them up, and to better them and he lived that right through from the day I met him to his last breath he would have been doing that.”

New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson also paid tribute to Tuigamala’s “warmth as a person, and his incredible natural talent as a player”.

“He undoubtedly inspired a generation of backs, especially Pasifika, to follow in his footsteps.

“His contribution to rugby and to his community off the field has been immense and will not be forgotten.”

All Blacks coach Ian Foster played provincial rugby against Tuigamala and has paid tribute on behalf of the All Blacks.

All Blacks winger Inga Tuigamala against a World XV in 1992
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

“It’s incredibly sad to hear the loss of a very special man. He was an iconic player and personality of his time and continued to make a huge impact in his community after his playing days.

“The biggest memories for me are his smile, his joy of playing and his commitment to his family and his faith, which was the foundation of his life.”

Tuigamala is survived by his wife Daphne, and children Jordan, Savaise (Bubba), Salote and Vaisilika.