Former All Black enforcer has passed away aged 36

The rugby world has just been shocked by the news that Bayonne forward and former Chiefs/All Blacks hard man Sione Lauaki has passed away from kidney failure.

It was only recent that the enforcer was told to stop training because of a health scare and the worst possible outcome has happened.

The Tongan-born forward had been plying his trade for top French side Bayonne and was in London after health irregularities meant he needed more help.

Lauaki, who played 17 tests, was an enormously destructive forward, whose career never quite reached potential. He emerged out of Kelston Boys High and played for New Zealand Colts, making his Auckland debut in 2002.