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November 12, 2013
Rugby legend Peter Fatialofa is being laid to rest today.
Waatea Team
Posted On November 12, 2013
The giant known as Fats died last week in Samoa aged 54.
More than 1500 people were at a memorial service last night at the Vodafone Events Centre in South Auckland, and more are expected at the funeral this morning before he is buried at the Manukau Memorial Gardens.
Fatialofa’s rugby career highlights included long service with the Ponsonby club, 72 games for Auckland and taking Manu Samoa to the quarter finals of the 1991 Rugby World Cup.
Another rugby giant, Bill Bush, says Fatialofa came through at a time when there were fewer Pacific Island players at the top level of the game.
" You know he’s an icon when hes in the community, and a bit like Maori, you know when you make the top people sort of look up to you and respect you. Even in Samoa because I coached a NZ Maori side when we toured the islands in 91 I think it was. Fats was the captain of the Samoan side and they beat us. We beat the presidents team but when we played Samoa oh Jesus they just responded to him and yes he is a matai over there thats for sure he was a rangatira thats for sure" says Bill Bush
Copyright © 2013, UMA Broadcasting Ltd
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