Rugby: Tributes flow for former All Black Dylan Mika who died yesterday

Former All Blacks flanker Dylan Mika died from a suspected heart attack. Photo / Photosport

Tributes and heartfelt condolences have been flowing for former All Blacks flanker Dylan Mika who passed away on Tuesday.

Mika, who was a popular figure in Auckland and Samoan rugby, died from a suspected heart attack.

The 45-year-old was vice president of the New Zealand Barbarians club and was an active member of the rugby community.

Blues coach Tana Umaga, who played with Mika in the All Blacks and became good friends with his fellow Samoan, said it was a sad loss for rugby.

"Dylan was a good man and a very good teammate and friend," Umaga said in a tribute on the Blues' website.

"He was always making sure you were ok and he would organise things to keep everyone's spirits up. He was such a caring man.

"This is a very sad loss for the rugby fraternity and for our close group of friends."

Sir Bryan Williams coached Mika at Manu Samoa before he played for the All Blacks and has worked alongside him as patron of the New Zealand Barbarians club.

"He was very highly regarded. He was doing some great work certainly for the club but particularly in the secondary school area. Dylan's been very active in that area.

"He was just a great guy. A gentle big man who will be sadly missed for sure."

"He was well liked. Very well regarded. He just had a way with people."

Other friends, team mates and members of the public have taken to social media to mourn Mika's passing.

Rest easy uce 🙏😢

— Liam Messam (@LiamMessam) March 20, 2018

Oh man. Rest In Peace Dylan Mika

— Dan Bowden (@danbowden_) March 20, 2018

NZ and Samoa lost a great sportsman today. Far too young. Rest in peace #dylanmika

— Gina Williams (@ginawilliamsnz) March 20, 2018

Rest in Love uso. One of the most loyal uso around thank you for sharing your love with me and my family. I'm going to miss you getting me into the Barbarians box at Eden Park when in Auckland. You're one of a kind uso #BigBro #RIL #DylanMika https://t.co/3yY2MTYk3N

— Tofiga Fepulea'i (@tofigafepuleai) March 20, 2018

Our club mourns the loss of Dylan Mika, who passed away suddenly in Auckland yesterday, aged 45. Dylan played 23 times for the Blues, and was a duel international for the All Blacks and Samoa. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Dylan’s family and friends💙 pic.twitter.com/al0Cf9gCPX

— The Blues (@BluesRugbyTeam) March 20, 2018

Our prayers and thoughts go out to the family of Dylan Mika, who played for Manu Samoa (two tests in 1994) and the All Blacks (1999) and was also part of the great Auckland and The... https://t.co/bfcI1UDBtY

— Samoa Rugby (@SamoaRugby) March 20, 2018

Mika played two tests for Samoa and, after serving a three-year stand-down period, seven for the All Blacks, including two against Italy and South Africa at the 1999 World Cup.

"It is with great sadness that the family of Dylan announce that he passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at his home in Auckland," his family said in a statement published on the All Blacks website.

"Dylan was a very much loved husband to Tracy, father to 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 caring man. Gone far too soon at the age of just 45."