Wigan Warriors great Va’aiga Tuigamala dies aged 52

Tuigamala made 102 appearances for Wigan during five seasons at the club; “Wigan Warriors send their deepest condolences to Inga’s family and friends at this awful time,” statement says

Wigan Warriors have announced that former player Va’aiga (Inga) Tuigamala has died aged 52.

Tuigamala played 102 games for Wigan during five seasons at the club between 1993 and 1997, scoring 62 tries.

He won three League titles with Wigan as well two Challenge Cups, two Regal Trophies and one Premiership title.

“Every now and then a player comes along who touches the heart and soul of every single fan, player, coach and administrator – Inga was one of them,” Kris Radlinski, Executive Director of Wigan Warriors said.

“He was one of the most exciting rugby players to play either code. His presence on the rugby field was huge.

“As a teenager, he gave me the most precious thing that anyone could, time. We would spend hours on the field doing one on one’s together. It is a very sad day for the Club. Rest in peace my friend.”

A club statement said: “Wigan Warriors send their deepest condolences to Inga’s family and friends at this awful time. Ahead of tonight’s game against Huddersfield Giants at the DW Stadium, there will be a minute’s silence to remember Inga.”

How dramatic final round of Super League could unfold with top spot still up for grabs

With so much at stake on Friday night, we look at all the six remaining fixtures, who might win the battle for the League Leaders’ Shield, who could claim the last play-off spot and which team might have to plot their way to Old Trafford the hard way

It’s the final round of regular Betfred Super League action on Friday with so much still up for grabs.

Three clubs – Wigan, Catalans and St Helens – could all still win the League Leaders’ Shield on the night, bringing back memories of the epic events of 2015 when Wigan, Leeds and Huddersfield were all battling it out for the trophy. But there’s also one last remaining play-offs spot up for grabs with Warrington, in sixth, and Salford, just behind on points difference, facing nervous times ahead to see who prevails in the chance to keep their race for the October 14 Grand Final alive.

Death of ex-Wigan star Va'aiga Tuigamala – Total Rugby League

Elsewhere, fourth-placed Leigh and fifth-placed Hull KR know they are safe. And they also know they will face each other in a play-off eliminator. But they could yet swap positions which, crucially, decides who gets home advantage for that knock-out tie. Here we have a look at the final round of games and what’s at stake in each:

Huddersfield (9) v Warrington (6)

It’s pressure-time for Warrington who are level on 26 points with seventh-placed Salford. They have a far better points difference than Salford (73 compared to minus seven) and, on paper, an easier last fixture than their rivals. But that means little. Wolves were top after winning the opening eight rounds but their fall has been spectacular. Huddersfield have nothing to play for other than pride (and pipping Leeds from eighth) but they’ll want to send the likes of Jermaine McGillvary off on a high and after walloping Hull at the weekend – admittedly, not the hardest of tasks – they’ll be confident of overcoming the fragile Wolves on home soil. Warrington will no doubt wheel out England captain George Williams even if his thigh strain isn’t 100 percent right; they need all their big guns to fire up. But I still think they’ll fall short – and leave them sweating on what’s happening over at Salford v Catalans.