Former Junior Kiwi and NRL player Masada Iosefa dies night before 33rd birthday

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Masada Iosefa playing for the Wests Tigers back in 2013. Picture; STUFF SPORTS.

Former Panthers, Wests Tigers hooker and Samoan International Masada Iosefa has died in Australia following a tragic quad bike accident on Monday night.

The talented hooker passed away just hours short of his 33rd birthday (Tuesday) and is being mourned by team-mates at Rockhampton, where he was set to captain the Emu Park team this season.

Born in Samoa, Iosefa moved to Sydney with his family at a young age and was a schoolboy star at Patrician Brothers’ College, Blacktown.

He was signed by Penrith and made 43 appearances between 2008 and 2011.

He then played for Wests Tigers in 2012-13, often filling in for star hooker Robbie Farah.

Iosefa also played two tests for Samoa, was a member of the New Zealand World Cup squad and represented the Junior Kiwis.