Rugby player Wiremu Kahui died in hospital this week after a tragic accident on the field in Perth.
Kahui’s Ellenbrook Rabbitohs Club confirmed Wednesday that the father of four had died nearly two weeks after being hospitalized after a tackle that went wrong during a first-grade game at George Burnett Park in Carawa on September 19 had been.
Kahui was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital after an ambulance was called in the field following the incident.
Watch the 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership Final on Kayo. Any game prior to the Grand Final Live & On-Demand with no commercial breaks during the game. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming right away>
Panthers hold back roosters
3:01
LATE MAIL: The latest team news and news for Week 1 of the Finals
CASUALTY WARD: Blood flows as Roosters suffers a horror injury
He was then reportedly taken to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital before succumbing to his injuries on Wednesday.
The NRLWA announced a preliminary investigation into the incident which found that the device was not “illegal or dangerous”.
Friends of the Kahui family have described the incident as a “freak accident” according to watoday.com.au.
MORE NRL NEWS
BOMBSHELL: Burgess allegedly waited outside Rooster’s house because of the sexting scandal
NSW DEBUT: Brandy supports the panther boom as a blues bolter, but Cronk pumps the breaks
PLAYER REVIEWS: Story of Two Halves as Cleary Stars and Roosters Fight
The incident that occurred during the Rabbitohs clash with the South Perth Lions has made the Ellenbrook Club with Kahui one of the oldest first class players.
The vice-captain is remembered by his extended family and his wife Haylee as a “beloved brother and passionate role model”.
Ellenbrook’s President Karyssa Morrell posted a heartbroken message on the club’s Facebook page this week.
Get the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Register now>
“As I write this, my heart is heavy,” she wrote on Friday.
“The death of our beloved brother and friend Wiremu Kahui is difficult to digest.
“Wiremu and his family have been critical to the growth of our club since it was founded. Manage, train and play in our juniors, involved in leadership groups and most recently as vice-captain of our Val Murphy boys.
“Our Mu was a born leader, a role model, passionate about our family, our club and our game.
“This year alone, he’s taken on two junior teams to make sure the kids don’t miss anything. He represented our club in media campaigns to promote the game that has been coming back since the Covid hit.
“He trained, trained and played in our club almost every day of the week! His dedication and efforts needed recognition and recognition, and it meant a lot to continue to present his family with the 2020 ERRLC Mod Coach of the Year Award.
Rabbits put 60 on roosters
2:58
“He has fought hard and while this news will have a significant impact on his family, our members and the wider rugby league community, please know that Mu will be in our hearts forever.
“I will always be grateful for his many contributions to our club and I am honored to have even known him. Wiremu is a true legend!
“For our sister Haylee, the boys and the extended family, we will all continue to be here to support you in any way we can.”
The club also shared a video of Kahui’s teammates praying for his recovery last week. Several players said, “I love you brother”.
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to support the Kahui family.
As of Saturday, the campaign raised more than $ 29,000.
It comes just weeks after Joel Dark, the cousin of Rooster’s captain Boyd Cordner, also died in hospital five days after a terrible accident on the soccer field.
The 19-year-old suffered a serious head injury on his first grade debut for Newcastle Central at St John Oval last month and was hospitalized for brain surgery.
.
