A FAMILY today mourns the death of their loved one, Ratu Savenaca Koroibulileka, who collapsed while playing rugby for his Oakham Rugby Football Club at West Bridgeford, Leicestershire, England on Saturday.
He is reported to have been treated by paramedics after collapsing in the second-half of the match, but was pronounced dead on arrival at Peterborough Hospital.
Koroibulileka, 38, was from Naqeledamu near Verata-Wailevu past Nausori Town.
He was recently re-enlisted into the British Army.
He was the third of five children and is survived by his wife and their four sons. His sister Rokowini Aditukana said they learnt of her brother’s death last Sunday when they were celebrating their mother’s 91st birthday.
She said when her sister-in-law Iliviema Koroibulileka informed them of her brother’s death, they could not believe her.
“He was very healthy and active in sports and for him to die early, came as a shock to us. We are still very grief-stricken and really saddened by the news,” Ms Rokowini said.
“His love for rugby was something he developed at a very young age.”
She said they were visited by officials from the British High Commission who informed them that her brother (Koroibulileka) would be accorded a full military burial.
And they would have their 91-year-old mother and one of her younger brothers flown over to England to attend the funeral.
She described her brother as a very sociable and caring person who got along with everyone in their village community.
Meanwhile, her cousin and Northland rugby coach and former Tailevu and Naitasiri rep Timoci Tinaviti said Koroibulileka was passionate about rugby.
“He showed it every time he stepped on to the field.
“He will be sorely missed, not only by us, but by those who have had the privilege of knowing him,” Tinaviti said.
