Ireland head coach Andy Farrell pays an emotional tribute to former Wigan team-mate Va'aiga Tuigamala, who passed away aged 52. Web www.rte.ie/sport Twitter: / rtesport Follow us on Facebook / rtesport
Awesome tribute from Andy Farrell. "Inga the winger" great human, very humble but very destructive on the field. What a team that Wigan team was at that time and era.. Superstars Andy Farrell, Shaun Edwards, Denis Betts, Jason Robinson, Phil Clarke, Frano Botica, Henry Paul, Chariots Offiah.. Condolences to the family RIP Va'aiga Tuigamala .
Inga was an awesome player and person. To watch him play standing on the terraces at Central Park was a pleasure. Being a young lad to meet him I was star-struck. RIP Inga
Very sad news..RIP...The more interviews Andy Farrell does the more I like him as a man and Irish Coach , Gr8 to have his train of thought with the players ,
He was a wonderful player and a joy to watch. When he joined Wigan everyone - all the fans - were so pleased and excited - I saw him play once only in the flesh, more on tv but he was exceptional. A super star and a gentleman. Rest in Peace and continue to shine Inga the winger.
Moving tribute from Andy Farrell. My favourite memory of Inga was during a 1994 Boxing Day game against Saints. I was right on the touch line as Inga wreaked havoc in the Saints defence. I remember him demolishing one of their centres, then coming back over as the man picked himself up. Inga helped him up, smiled, and said “Remember Jesus loves you” Pure class.
I think I remember him getting a mild ticking off once, for helping opponents back to their feet after he had (fairly) flattened them. I think Vianoko lol was subjected to a similar chat too. Great to see how he is still held in such high regard for his off field personality too. Farrell is becoming a very good interviewee as well. Bit of a bugger on the field but seems like a fair bloke in general.
This is a lovely tribute, thank you for sharing it. I played against Inga the winger many times over the years, but what struck me the most was the type of man he was off the field. Very much in the mould of other greats like Michael Jones. Players that were so proud of their Polynesian background, so humble and christian in their views of family and life. On the field a nightmare to try and tackle, being so squat and powerful, and like Andy said such quick feet. But after the game a huge beaming smile that showed you that rugby was still just a sport, that there were more important things in life. I know he will be missed, but never forgotten. Thank you for speaking so wonderfully about him. RIP
Brent - that is great to.read ( sorry for my half posts earlier, no accounting fot idiots st three in the morning). Loved watching him wreck his opposition one minute, pick tnem up, cuddle and crack on again. I take my hat off to you for even facing him. Huking brute of a player, but a fine, fine gentleman. What a loss.
Remember as a kid - played for Colts at Wasps. Remember walking in to the physio and my brother 16/17 yrs at the time on the physio table. On the physio table next to him was Tuigamala. Chatting to him really nicely. This All Blacks legend. Humble. Approachable. Zero ego. No wonder so many felt he improved their lives.
As a fax fan I remember him playing up at Thrum Hall back in the day. To this day I have never seen a more destructive player, ever. People talk about Lomu and rightly so, but for me inga was equally as destructive, he would just run over anything in front of him. Just unstoppable. I'm glad I saw him play in the flesh. RIP.
I remember when inga played against Big Mal in that game- fresh from the semi pro Union game to play in a professional league against probably the best Rugby player of all time in Mal - and he held his own.
I took my g/f to watch London Broncos v Wigan . The look on her face when Inga came to the touchline to start the game , this was love at first sight . Every time I glanced at her she was focused on him .
@@Jamie-ye7fu I wouldn't look out of place wearing a strip and out there in the lineup . And she's not the edgy excitement type and doesn't have Bupa .
A great tribute from one great about another great,I had the privilege of seen Inga in what I think was his last rugby union match when the all blacks played the barbarians in Cardiff in November/December 1993,my friend and I were sitting on a bus waiting to go to the airport for our flight to Dublin when some of the all blacks walked passed and always remember Inga's big smile and he saluted us as he walked by and me and my friend returned the courtesy,r.i.p. Inga.
RIP , lovely tribute , I remember him so well from that tremendous era of Rugby League , never saw him live but I regret that, he was a fantastic athlete.
Inga was an amazing human being. What is this good human stuff? Inga showed as how to be with his smile, his honour and dignity and his strong belief in God. He showed us how to act as a human being. Describing Inga as Human is inadequate in every way.
Remember those offload's where most of the opposition had gang tackled him,the ball would appear out of knowhere perfectly presented to the oncoming attack, or those one handed bullett passes from around his back.one of those players that come around once in a lifetime, thank's inga for the great memories
Inga was a great man. A man of God he introduced Jason Robinson to the Lord Jesus Christ and the Lord changed Jason’s life. Now in Heaven with the saviour he believed in. To God be the Glory great things he has done.
Awesome tribute from Andy Farrell. "Inga the winger" great human, very humble but very destructive on the field. What a team that Wigan team was at that time and era.. Superstars Andy Farrell, Shaun Edwards, Denis Betts, Jason Robinson, Phil Clarke, Frano Botica, Henry Paul, Chariots Offiah.. Condolences to the family RIP Va'aiga Tuigamala .
Before Jonah Lomu…..there was Inga the Winger 🔥❤️🔥❤️ R.I.P brother…..truly inspirational and revolutionary!!
Saints fan
Well said Andy
Great player him
Even better a great man
Well spoken Andy Farrell two legends of the game
Well spoken by Andy Farrell
Inga was an awesome player and person. To watch him play standing on the terraces at Central Park was a pleasure. Being a young lad to meet him I was star-struck. RIP Inga
Very sad news..RIP...The more interviews Andy Farrell does the more I like him as a man and Irish Coach , Gr8 to have his train of thought with the players ,
Well said Andy, Inga transcended both codes, a great player and a great human being RIP inga x
RIP Inga! I saw him at Murryfield back in the late 80's........What a player! What a man!
Great tribute Andy Farrell.
He was a wonderful player and a joy to watch. When he joined Wigan everyone - all the fans - were so pleased and excited -
I saw him play once only in the flesh, more on tv but he was exceptional. A super star and a gentleman. Rest in Peace
and continue to shine Inga the winger.
Moving tribute from Andy Farrell. My favourite memory of Inga was during a 1994 Boxing Day game against Saints. I was right on the touch line as Inga wreaked havoc in the Saints defence. I remember him demolishing one of their centres, then coming back over as the man picked himself up. Inga helped him up, smiled, and said “Remember Jesus loves you” Pure class.
I think I remember him getting a mild ticking off once, for helping opponents back to their feet after he had (fairly) flattened them.
I think Vianoko lol was subjected to a similar chat too.
Great to see how he is still held in such high regard for his off field personality too.
Farrell is becoming a very good interviewee as well. Bit of a bugger on the field but seems like a fair bloke in general.
I remember him with great affection lovely to watch
Beautiful man...beautiful tribute
Well said Andy two.top fellas nite godless inga
Brilliant tribute Andy..
I know its over a year ago.
But I'm just reliving some inga awesomeness..
God bless you va'aiga.🙏
Two amazing players in an amazing Wigan team - best team in the world at that time and a whos who in that team.
Wonderful tribute which was clearly heartfelt and genuine Class
Andy Farrell, a genuinely decent man. As a player, world class. Tuigamala will always be remembered.
Rest in peace Tuigamala God bless your soul thank you for the video
Amazing tribute from a true rugby league legend shocking new this man was made of granite.. could run through walls
This is a lovely tribute, thank you for sharing it. I played against Inga the winger many times over the years, but what struck me the most was the type of man he was off the field. Very much in the mould of other greats like Michael Jones. Players that were so proud of their Polynesian background, so humble and christian in their views of family and life. On the field a nightmare to try and tackle, being so squat and powerful, and like Andy said such quick feet. But after the game a huge beaming smile that showed you that rugby was still just a sport, that there were more important things in life. I know he will be missed, but never forgotten. Thank you for speaking so wonderfully about him. RIP
I can't claim to have played anywhere near that level, but to be splattered by Inga, patted on
Sorry, got disturbed by an idiot, will come back later.
Brent - that is great to.read ( sorry for my half posts earlier, no accounting fot idiots st three in the morning).
Loved watching him wreck his opposition one minute, pick tnem up, cuddle and crack on again. I take my hat off to you for even facing him.
Huking brute of a player, but a fine, fine gentleman. What a loss.
You were a fine player yourself, Mr Pope. And these are great words. Thank you for sharing.
Great tribute,very moving
Unbelievable player,All time great,touching tribute👍
Remember as a kid - played for Colts at Wasps. Remember walking in to the physio and my brother 16/17 yrs at the time on the physio table. On the physio table next to him was Tuigamala. Chatting to him really nicely. This All Blacks legend. Humble. Approachable. Zero ego. No wonder so many felt he improved their lives.
As a fax fan I remember him playing up at Thrum Hall back in the day. To this day I have never seen a more destructive player, ever. People talk about Lomu and rightly so, but for me inga was equally as destructive, he would just run over anything in front of him. Just unstoppable. I'm glad I saw him play in the flesh.
RIP.
One of my all time sports heroes... RIP Big Man
Fantastic tribute
So sorry to hear it my heart goes out to his family. I saw him play against st Helens on a few occasions what a player will be solely missed
I remember when inga played against Big Mal in that game- fresh from the semi pro Union game to play in a professional league against probably the best Rugby player of all time in Mal - and he held his own.
Love to see that footage if any?
Imagine 2 x 120kg centre's going at each other 🥶
@@rikisila8736wigan vs australia 1994 kangaroo tour
Thankyou for the memories vainga ❤
Man to a man
I took my g/f to watch London Broncos v Wigan . The look on her face when Inga came to the touchline to start the game , this was love at first sight . Every time I glanced at her she was focused on him .
Your missus cheat on you a lot?
@@Jamie-ye7fu
I wouldn't look out of place wearing a strip and out there in the lineup . And she's not the edgy excitement type and doesn't have Bupa .
@@laurencesmith2199 You'd seriously injure your g/f? That's fucked up.
@@Jamie-ye7fu Absafknlutely , to the moon .
Not seriously , she'd be back at work in a week , two tops .
@@Jamie-ye7fu Absafknlutely , to the moon .
Not seriously , she'd be back at work in a week , two tops .
Aww bless him may inga RIP my condloences to his family and freinds
A great tribute from one great about another great,I had the privilege of seen Inga in what I think was his last rugby union match when the all blacks played the barbarians in Cardiff in November/December 1993,my friend and I were sitting on a bus waiting to go to the airport for our flight to Dublin when some of the all blacks walked passed and always remember Inga's big smile and he saluted us as he walked by and me and my friend returned the courtesy,r.i.p. Inga.
Great player for wigan
RIP , lovely tribute , I remember him so well from that tremendous era of Rugby League , never saw him live but I regret that, he was a fantastic athlete.
Well said.
Samoa and indeed the Pacific Islands produce some of the most raw talented players who go on to adapt well in British rugby league and union.
Inga was an amazing human being. What is this good human stuff? Inga showed as how to be with his smile, his honour and dignity and his strong belief in God. He showed us how to act as a human being. Describing Inga as Human is inadequate in every way.
V.T. was the precursor to Lomu,he was a tank!🏴
Class faz 🍒⚪️
Remember those offload's where most of the opposition had gang tackled him,the ball would appear out of knowhere perfectly presented to the oncoming attack, or those one handed bullett passes from around his back.one of those players that come around once in a lifetime, thank's inga for the great memories
Inga was a great man. A man of God he introduced Jason Robinson to the Lord Jesus Christ and the Lord changed Jason’s life. Now in Heaven with the saviour he believed in. To God be the Glory great things he has done.
I was going to say the same thing. What a man.
🙌🙌
A FORCE OF NATURE!
Adverse “reaction” as with Warne?
and Marsh..... worm eggs in vacc hatch at human body temp and grow/fill arteries causing heart attacks etc.
Sorry but too many sports people are going way too early ,this can't be a coincidence it's just too many dying
@@jeffsparey9585 yep, just under 500 that we know of. numerous pilots also dropping dead mid air....
U need a good steak down ya pal 🥩
He looks like a captured Russian soldier 😳
did he have pfizer or moderna?