Dapto Canaries rugby league player Tory Brunning collapses and dies at Wollongong game
Dapto Canaries rugby league player Tory Brunning collapsed and died after a game in Wollongong. Nine
A promising young rugby league player has collapsed and died between games at a Wollongong football ground.
Tory Brunning, 22, from the Dapto Canaries played reserve grade against Wests Devils on Saturday before reportedly leaving the field at halftime complaining of flu-like symptoms.
He was scheduled to back-up for the first grade clash at 3pm before falling ill and collapsing in the sheds.
Brunning was treated by the Devils team doctor before paramedics arrived but he was unable to be revived.
“My baby brother was a star in this family — he was doing so well,” his sister Kourtney Waitarehu told News Limited.
“A piece of our heart has been taken from us all and may he rest in Our Lord’s arms.
“He went from regional football to national New Zealand football and just kept rising, he just had a passion for rugby league.”
The Country Rugby League issued a statement saying counselling and support was being provided to Brunning’s family and friends, as well as both clubs.
“Country Rugby League and Illawarra Division Rugby League extend their deepest sympathies to the family, friends and teammates of Dapto player Tory Brunning, who tragically passed away at Dapto Showground on Saturday afternoon,” the statement said.
Illawarra District Rugby League manager Chris Bannerman said support was being offered to the players.
"Most immediately it's identifying where there is a need for counselling," he said.
"That's the most urgent priority, particularly with the people most closely associated with the incident.
“We really can’t say too much more about the circumstances than that at the moment."
