KEY POINTS:
The Kiwis' shock league world cup win proved too much for one avid fan. Father-of-two Todd Andrew Varley, 40, dropped dead moments after celebrating victory over the Kangaroos in last Saturday's final.
The much-loved musician and former Wellingtonian, who lived in Brisbane, sent a text message to his mother, Robyn, in Auckland saying: "We've won, we've won the world cup", when his aorta - the body's largest artery, which helps pump blood from the heart - burst.
Varley had been watching the game with his family at home when the tragedy occurred. His 17-year-old son Alex unsuccessfully tried to revive him.
Varley's sister Wendy Duff said: "My brother loved rugby. He always supported the Kiwis even though he lived in Australia. He sent the text to Mum, jumped up, picked up his guitar and fell to the ground. It's unbelievable."
Despite being born with a heart murmur, Varley had reported no heart problems throughout his adult life.
The autopsy report has yet to be released but Duff said a doctor told Varley's family an aortic valve had become diseased and enlarged.
"He didn't know anything about it," she said. "He thought he was a fit and healthy man."
The night before his death Varley donned a black suit and acted as a chauffeur to his son Alex and his girlfriend for their college ball.
"They emailed us photos, they all looked great," Duff said. "It was a real family occasion for them."
More than 300 people attended Varley's funeral, which was held in Brisbane on Thursday, with friends travelling from New Zealand.
Duff said the sales manager was a "real people's person. His work closed the office and sent 1800 people home that day. He had a huge impact on everyone he knew."
Varley had played the guitar from the age of 17 and had a band called Xenon, which had won several talent contests. "He was the only talented, musical one in the family and Todd will be sorely missed by all who knew him," said Duff.
Auckland pathologist Dr Simon Stables said Varley's condition was not an everyday cause of death.
"There are some conditions... that if a person's blood pressure goes up it would precipitate the aorta bursting.
"If this occurs through sport or gets excited, it can lead to a rupture. We do see it from time to time."
