The rugby world is paying tribute to former Highlanders, Leicester Tigers and Fiji sevens and 15s star Seru Rabeni, who passed away at the age of 37.
Rabeni died while having breakfast at his home yesterday.
Shocked to hear about Seru Rabeni. Legend of the game! Gav remembers him well. Wonderful player, gone too soon. RIP pic.twitter.com/fULR23YGRM
— Rugbydump.com (@Rugbydump) March 15, 2016
It is believed he had a heart attack.
He had recently recovered from an illness.
His former Highlanders teammate, 16‑test All Black Nick Evans was among a host of rugby players around the globe to share their condolences on Twitter.
Australia winger Lote Tuqiri, Craig Newby, Johnny Wilkinson and other great rugby players have shared their condolences as well.
Man just heard the news of Fijian and @LeicesterTigers legend Seru Rabeni passing this morning in Fiji. A great man taken way too young @ 37
— Lote Tuqiri (@LoteTuqiri) March 15, 2016
Rabeni’s father-in-law Viliame Kanatabua said Rabeni was sick for a while and had just recently recovered.
He is survived by his wife and two children aged 7 and 4 years.
Really Sad to hear about the passing of Fijian Great Seru Rabeni, #GoneTooSoon Thoughts & Prayers go out to the Rabeni Family
— Jerome Kaino (@jeromekaino) March 15, 2016
Rabeni represented the country in the 2003 and 2007 Rugby World Cup tournaments.
He made his 7s debut in Dubai in 1998, playing in two Hong Kong 7s tournaments.
Incredibly sad news to hear Seru Rabeni has passed away. Rest in peace big man. @LeicesterTigers @fijirugby
— Ben Ryan Fiji 7s (@benjaminryan) March 15, 2016
Rabeni also played for Fiji in the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
Rabeni grew up in Bua and played rugby union from his early schooldays at Ratu Kadavulevu School.
Always sad when we lose one of our rugby family. #RIPSeru You will be missed. @worldrugby @fijirugby pic.twitter.com/VvTsXurRMI
— South African Rugby (@Springboks) March 15, 2016
He first played provincial rugby for Lautoka from 1998 to 1999 while studying at Lautoka Teachers College, before moving to Suva in 2000.
He played at both U21 and U23 level for Fiji before making his test debut in May 2000 against Japan in Tokyo during the Epson Cup tournament.
Saddened to hear of the passing of Seru Rabeni today, our thoughts are with your family. #Highlander92 pic.twitter.com/iou9hONsrS
— The Highlanders (@Highlanders) March 15, 2016
In 2001, Rabeni took up a three‑year degree course at the University of Otago, and the following year played 7 games for Otago in the National Provincial Championship before gaining a Super 12 contract with the Otago Highlanders.
Stunned! RIP Seru Rabeni. Absolutely hated every minute playing against you constantly smashing and stepping me. One of the Pacific Greats 😯
— fuimaono-sapolu (@Eliota_Sapolu) March 15, 2016
He played a dozen games over the 2003 and 2004 Super Rugby season.
Rabeni also played for the Leicester Tigers.
