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Rugby League Star Matt Utai Shot in Sydney Ambush
Former rugby league winger Matt Utai is in serious condition after a targeted shooting outside his home in Sydney, prompting a police investigation.
Matt Utai picture in his bio at alchetron.com
Former New Zealand and Samoa rugby league winger Matt Utai is in serious condition after being shot multiple times in what police described as a “brazen ambush” outside a home in Sydney early Tuesday.
The 44-year-old, who won a National Rugby League championship in 2004, underwent emergency surgery for gunshot wounds to his lower leg and upper chest-shoulder area. Authorities said they believe the attack was targeted.
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“We strongly believe that this is a targeted attack,” Rodney Hart of New South Wales Police told reporters. “We believe that it was two males, a gunman and a driver of a white, possibly SUV. We are concerned about this brazen attack.”
Utai’s former Canterbury teammate Mark O’Meley said the injured player was “breathing OK” while receiving treatment in hospital, adding that former teammates had been communicating and were hoping for his recovery, according to The Australian.
The shooting occurred about 6 a.m. local time in Greenacres. A vehicle matching the description of the one used in the attack was later found burning in a nearby suburb. Police said they were treating both incidents as linked and established crime scenes at the two locations.
Hart said there was no ongoing threat to the public and appealed for information or video footage from witnesses. He also stated Utai is not suspected of involvement in organized crime, noting he has only a minor traffic record and that investigators do not believe he is engaged in criminal activity.
Utai’s son, Iziah Utai, was convicted in 2023 of drug and gun possession and sentenced to 18 months in jail, with police alleging links to a local organized crime network.
Born in Auckland, Utai represented New Zealand four times between 2002 and 2005 and Samoa three times in 2008. He scored 85 tries in 167 NRL games for Sydney-based clubs Canterbury Bulldogs and Wests Tigers.
Canterbury said in a statement it was deeply shocked and saddened by the attack. “Our thoughts are with Matt and his family during this extremely difficult time. We are hoping and praying for his full recovery,” the club said.
Editor’s Note:
This report details the shooting of former rugby league international Matt Utai in Sydney and statements from New South Wales Police describing the incident as a suspected targeted attack. Utai, known for his National Rugby League career with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and Wests Tigers, remains hospitalized in serious condition as authorities investigate.
