Former All Black Dylan Mika has passed away at the age of 45.
The father-of-one, who also played for Samoa, is suspected to have died from a heart attack.
Mika’s family released a statement following his death describing him as a “warm, wonderful, and caring man”.
“It is with great sadness that the family of Dylan announce that he passed away suddenly and unexpectedly [on] Tuesday, March 20.
“Dylan was a very much loved husband and father to Tracy and their daughter Marley, and dearly loved son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend.
“He was a hugely talented athlete, well-respected in the Samoan community and abroad but just as importantly, to his friends and family a warm, wonderful, and caring man.
“Gone far too soon at the age of just 45.”
Mika was a close friend of Sir Michael Jones and Jonah Lomu, and carried Lomu’s casket out at a public memorial for the player at Eden Park in 2015.
Mika also played for the Blues and the Chiefs. He was also a cousin of former Blues coach Pat Lam.
VIDEO: Watch the haka below for Jonah Lomu from former teammates, including Dylan Mika.
