Tributes have poured in for a Canberra rugby player who died after playing two matches on Saturday. Wests Lions forward Lua Soana'i collapsed in the car park at Jamison Oval in the Australian Capital Territory after playing games in fourth and third grade.
Emergency Response
Teammates and players from his opponents, the Queanbeyan Whites, performed CPR while waiting for the ambulance to arrive before the 34-year-old was taken to Canberra Hospital, where he died.
Wests Lions president Richard Wyche told The Canberra Times that the club was in shock. 'He came to Jamison Oval on Saturday to play football, he didn't have any injuries, but he didn't make it home,' Wyche said.
Tributes to a Beloved Player
'Lua was always a very friendly guy, a good person to have around the club. He was a dynamic player who loved playing the game and a great guy to have on your team,' Wyche added.
'As a club we will try and support his family the best we can, and his friends too, as they go through this difficult time.'
Soana'i first played for the Lions in 2024 and was an integral player in the club's 2025 third-grade premiership team. Originally from Samoa, he was married to Rachel Soana'i and had two young children of his own and two stepchildren.
Fundraising and Support
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help his family and, as of Tuesday morning, it had raised more than $20,000 of its $30,000 target.
'We are devastated to share the sudden and heartbreaking loss of a beautiful soul, taken far too soon at just 34 years old,' the GoFundMe page read.
'He was more than a husband to my sister, he was Rachel's partner, her support, and her best friend. He was more than a father, he was everything to his children. A proud dad to two young kids and a loving stepfather to two more, he never made a distinction. To him, they were all his babies.'
'He lived for his family. Every decision he made, every hour he worked, every sacrifice – it was all for them. He showed up, he provided, he loved deeply, and he made sure his kids always felt safe and cared for.'
The money raised will go towards bringing Soana'i back to his native Samoa to be laid to rest with his family and culture.
Wests will also donate the gate takings from their old boys day this weekend to Soana'i's family. Wests is also the junior club of Wallabies great Stephen Larkham, and the ACT Brumbies will pay tribute to Soana'i at their game against the Force on Saturday night.
Community Outpouring
Many paid tribute to Soana'i online. 'Sincere condolences to Lua's family and friends in this most difficult time. They say rugby is a game played in heaven,' one person wrote.
'Condolences to the family. Very sad news,' another said. 'Sending our thoughts to Lua's family and everyone at Wests, so sorry for your loss,' Gungahlin Eagles Rugby Club wrote.
Wests thanked the Queanbeyan Whites for the efforts of their medical staff and others that saw Soana'i's medical episode. The Whites released a statement that read: 'It's a heavy situation and one that has impacted a lot of people, especially those who were there and involved.'
'A huge thank you to the members of our community who were extremely brave in helping where they could,' it continued. 'Moments like this remind us that we're part of something much bigger than rugby, and that looking after each other matters far beyond the game.'
