A spokesperson for the All Blacks said it best when they described Va’aiga Tuigamala as “an icon and inspiration” and “an all-time great who achieved things on and off the pitch others could only dream of”.
Proudly known as “Inga the Winger” during his 19 tests for New Zealand between 1991 and 1993, the Samoan-born sporting legend went on to play rugby league professionally in the UK and later represented Manu Samoa in rugby, before tragically passing away at just 52 last week.
“He was a huge man, a very powerful runner, and could run over and around people,” said former All Blacks coach John Hart in an emotional tribute. However, he added, “The thing that everyone will remember is that infectious smile that he had throughout his life… He was just a very, very special young man. Everyone liked him. He wouldn’t have had many enemies in the world.”
Fearsome playing for the All Blacks.
Kris Radlinski – executive director of the Wigan Warriors, Inga’s former league club in Manchester – added, “Every now and then, a player comes along who touches the heart and soul of every single fan, player, coach and administrator. Inga was one of them… His presence on the rugby field was huge.”
Speaking recently to Woman’s Day, Inga recalled being named as an All Black in 1989, at just 19 years of age, as the highlight of his sporting career. It was a dream he’d never thought he’d achieve, he said, adding that representing the hopes of the nation was the privilege of his life.
He effortlessly changed codes to play league for Wigan.
He also fondly remembered playing against the Springboks, his ultimate foes, in the first post-apartheid tour of South Africa in 1992, saying that performing the haka and singing the national anthem before those games would always stick with him.
In 2020, after receiving his traditional Samoan tatau, Inga noted, “I like to think that my journey and tattoo reminds me of those highs and lows… I know what it’s like to be poor, I know what it’s like to be famous and I know what it’s like to have a lot of money, but that doesn’t define you.”
A gentle giant known to loved ones as “Papa Bear”, Inga had been with his childhood sweetheart Daphne, the mother of his four children, for 34 years. He met his beloved wife when he was 17, and he described her as a huge influence on his career and a massive support during his recent health struggles.
The proud dad with son Jordon
Nine years ago, Inga suffered a stroke while playing golf, later joking that he got too excited about his good performance. He was hospitalised again seven months ago, and diagnosed with obesity, type 2 diabetes, sepsis, cellulitis and blood poisoning.
He told Woman’s Day he left the hospital on the 40th anniversary of his father’s fatal stroke and said it made him realise he needed to make some serious changes to his lifestyle – but only after he could learn to love himself enough to take care of his own health.
A gentle giant off the field, always ready with a smile.
Adopting a plant-based diet, Inga dropped 30 kilos, going from 169kg to 139kg, and also became passionate about advocating for the health of Pacific Island communities.
He was an ambassador for the Alliance Plus Health Trust and was about to launch a video series in which he talked openly about his struggles.
With his beloved wife Daphne
Tragically, Inga’s death comes just weeks after the death of his adored youngest sister Helen Verry, a newlywed youth pastor who was just 44.
The star – who was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2008 – told us the family was still in shock but were blown away by the impact she had made on the community. We hope they can take some comfort knowing the massive influence Inga had on so many New Zealanders and the sporting world.
