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The sport of rugby was hit hard this morning by news that super-star Fijian center Seru Rabeni has past away. Aged just 37 Rabeni died at his home in Nausori, just outside the capital, Suva, on Tuesday morning.
The Fiji Village website said the cause of death was unknown but quoted his father-in-law saying he had been “sick for a while”.
Rabeni went from the small Pacific Island country onto stardom, appearing in Rugby World Cups 2003 and 2007. At the second of the two tournaments he was instrumental in Fiji’s campaign in which they tore up the script to eliminate Wales at the pool stage and seriously challenge eventual winners South Africa in the Quarter Finals.
Rabeni also had a prolific professional career in which he played at the top level in England, France and New Zealand. His career spanned sixteen years with five of them being at the Leicester Tigers. During which time the East Midlands club won the Aviva Premiership twice.
For Fiji Rabeni played against France, Japan, Scotland and the USA at Rugby World Cup 2003 in Australia. Four years on he was again the starting center against Australia, Canada, Japan, Wales and South Africa.
Fijian Rugby Sevens Head Coach Ben Ryan tweeted “Incredibly sad news to hear Seru Rabeni has passed away. Rest in peace big man”.
Former Australian international winger, the Fijian-born Lote Tuqiri commented that Rabeni was “a great man taken away too young”.
Rabeni’s loss will be directly felt in the Americas, specifically in Missouri. During the summer of 2013 Rabeni moved to St. Louis to become assistant coach of the college rugby team of Lindenwold University.
