Tag team mourn loss of top tackler

Having just taken out the most valued player award in her tag-rugby team, Susanna Brown was shaping for the season of her life on the field.

"She was all keen. She'd been working on her fitness in the off-season," said Northern United teammate Izzy Gray.

"It's just so sad that we are not going to see that potential on the rugby field."

A 32-year-old man appeared in the Porirua District Court yesterday charged with murdering Ms Brown, 33, at Titahi Bay beach on Tuesday.

Her rugby team - still in shock at the news of her fatal stabbing - went back to the beach last night to lay flowers and to light candles to remember their sunny teammate.

"We are still in disbelief, still coming to grips with it," said Miss Gray. "She had such a happy personality, you always knew she was there - that will be missed."

Though always smiling and happy off the field, mother of five Ms Brown - who was playing the touch rugby-rugby league hybrid game in the off-season - was a fierce opponent.

"She was a hard tackler and a hard runner. No one would want to defend her. She was instrumental in us winning the final last year."

Miss Gray said Ms Brown had some close friends on the team whom she confided in, but most of the team were not aware of any problems at home.

- NZPA