Apia, SAMOA — The Rugby fraternity in Samoa is in mourning after a 27-year-old Apia Union Rugby player died early this morning from a suspected head injury during a rugby Game last Saturday at the HPU Rugby Field in Tuana’imato.

Faiva Tagatauli, 27, was playing for his Club Vaimoso at a Senior A competition.

The Flanker with less than 10 minutes from the end got to his feet and left the field unaided and wanted to be replaced. 

In attendance to assist him in the sidelines was where he lost consciousness.

The emergency service was alerted immediately to revive and stabilise before the Ambulance transported him to the National Hospital.

Faiva is believed to have fallen into cardiac and has spent four days in the High Dependency Unit fighting for his life.

Samoa Rugby Union CEO, Faleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai, expressed his deepest condolences.

Faiva Tagatauli played for Samoa’s Under 20 in 2011 under coach Soifua John Schuster. The team went on to win the Junior World Trophy in Georgia. He also played in the Super 9 tournament.

Read more at Samoa Observer