It’s been confirmed that a teenager has been arrested in connection to the shooting of former NRL winger Matt Utai.
Utai, 44, made 167 appearances in the NRL between 2002 and 2013 with the majority of those coming for Canterbury Bulldogs, where he won the 2004 NRL Grand Final.
He also would go on to represent New Zealand and Samoa on the international stage before spending the final years of his career with Wests Tigers after a failed move to Super League side Crusaders.
The 44-year-old was the victim of a drive-by shooting earlier in the week that resulted in him shot in the leg and shoulder. Currently, he remains in a serious condition in hospital.
It’s now been confirmed by police in Australia that two people have been charged in relation to the incident with the getaway driver being a 15-year-old boy.
A 25-year-old was also charged whilst a total of six people have been arrested in what has been reported to be part of a wider gang-affiliated issue.
Detective Acting Superintendent Brad Abdy said: “While the 15-year-old was the person who drove the getaway car, we haven’t identified them as being involved in either the shooting at the house at St Clair or the firebombing at Guildford West.”
Ex-NRL star Matt Utai shot
A report from ABC News stated that police believe Matt Utai was shot with the attack instead targeting his son Iziah, with police also confirming that Utai is not suspected of any wrongdoing.
The 44-year-old remains in serious condition after undergoing surgery for his injuries though police have been able to speak to him.
Super League fans never got to see Matt Utai play in the competition as a knee injury scuppered his switch to the Crusaders in 2010 with the winger returning to Australia to play lower grade, them signing with Wests Tigers in 2011.
He was a Dally M Rookie of the Year winner in 2002 and ended his NRL career with 85 tries in 167 games with his 71 tries for the Bulldogs ranking him ninth in their all-time try scorers.
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