New Zealand club rugby player dies at age of 22 after heart attack on pitch

New Zealand's rugby community is in mourning again after the death of Waitohi prop Bevan Moody.

The 22-year-old Marlborough prop forward had been in an induced coma since suffering a heart attack during a match last Saturday. Earlier this morning he passed away, surrounded by family and friends.

Moody was running back to the halfway line for a restart when he collapsed during a Tasman Trophy division one match between the Nelson and Waitohi clubs at Neale Park.

The team's management tried to revive Moody and administered CPR. An ambulance was called and he was taken to Nelson hospital where he was placed in an induced coma.

His death was the second in New Zealand club rugby this month after Wellington player Daniel Baldwin died last week.

Moody's club coach and mentor, Tonga Taumoefolau, who had been at his side since the incident, said Bevan will be remembered as a family man.

"Bevan was an active rugby player with Marlborough Boys' College First XV, Waitohi and various representative teams, he had unique abilities as a scrummager and had the physique to be a star on the rugby field.

"His team embraced him as a teammate who was hard-working on the playing field; a committed and loyal team player. He just loved playing rugby. Bevan was called 'Bear' for his imposing physique, and was a much-loved team mate at every level he played."

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New Zealand Rugby have also expressed its condolences.

“It’s gutting to see a young man die while playing the game he loved. It’s wrong and hard to make sense of when someone dies at such a young age,” said NZR General Manager of Rugby Neil Sorensen.

“I met Bevan at Under 20 camps, he was a neat young man and a talented player who had many years of rugby, but more importantly life, ahead of him.

“Our thoughts go out to his family, especially his partner and his young daughter, and his team mates who will be taking this sudden loss really hard. The immediate focus is ensuring Bevan’s family and his mates are fully supported.”