Sunday 12 February 2017 12:39, UK
Former New Zealand forward Sione Lauaki has died at the age of 35.
Lauaki featured for the All Blacks on 17 occasions between 2005 and 2008, playing at blindside flanker and No 8.
New Zealand media outlet One News had recently reported that Lauaki had been placed on dialysis as a result of kidney problems.
A tweet from the All Blacks official Twitter account read: "The thoughts of everyone are with the family of Sione Lauaki. Sione played 17 Tests from 2005-2008. AB#1055. Gone too soon. RIP, Wax."
Born in Haʻapai, Tonga, Lauaki attended Waitakere College in Auckland, progressing through the ranks at club rugby level with Waikato before featuring for the Chiefs at Super Rugby level.
The backrower, who also played for a Pacific Islanders XV three times in 2004, represented the Chiefs in New Zealand between 2004 and 2010, scoring 14 tries in 70 Super Rugby appearances.
In 2010, Lauaki moved to Europe where he played with French Top 14 sides Clermont Auvergne and Bayonne.
While at Bayonne in February 2012, following routine health tests, Lauaki was diagnosed with renal failure as well as cardiovascular complications, with doctors advising him not to train or play.
Bayonne signed him off for the rest of the campaign and Lauaki has been struggling with his condition ever since.
His death at just 35, follows on from the recent deaths of former All Blacks Jerry Collins (1980-2015) and Jonah Lomu (1975-2015).
