Rest in Love Inga
The New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association (NZRPA) want to express our great sadness at the passing of Va’aiga ‘Inga’ Tuigamala MNZM.
The powerful All Black winger, Samoan international and dual code player, who touched the lives of many with his infectious smile and special personality, passed away on 24 February 2022.
Speaking on behalf of the Players’ Association, his former teammate Ofisa Tonu’u said: “We love him. He was a great family man and always giving, right to the last day.
“He decided to look after himself and was such an inspiration to us all. I want to acknowledge his wife Daphne, his kids and his grandkids. We are really, really, going miss him but that smile will live forever.”
As well as his 19 appearances for the All Blacks and 23 for Samoa, the former Kelston Boys’ High School student played rugby for a variety of teams including Ponsonby, Auckland, NZ Colts, NZ B’s, NZ Schools, NZ U19’s, Wasps and Newcastle Falcons. He also played league for the Wigan Warriors and Samoa. Along the way, he inspired many people and was part of multiple title-winning teams
He was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to rugby and the community in 2008.
Rest in Love, Inga
https://www.allblacks.com/news/all-blacks-great-vaaiga-inga-tuigamala-passes-away/.
Photo caption: Ofisa Tonu'u, Inga Tuigamala and Eroni Clark (Photo Credit Ofisa Tonu'u)
