Former All Blacks flanker Dylan Mika has died following a suspected heart attack.
The 45-year-old was born in New Zealand but played his first two international tests for Samoa in 1994 underneath his cousin and former captain Pat Lam.
He went on to play seven matches for the All Blacks after standing down for three years to enable him to be eligible for selection for the national team, according to Fairfax.
Former All Blacks flanker Dylan Mika (pictured) has died following a suspected heart attack
The 45-year-old was born in New Zealand but played his first two international tests for Samoa
Mika played 55 games for Auckland and 23 Super 12 games for the Blues in the Super 12.
In a statement on Tuesday night, Mika’s family said he passed away suddenly, describing him as a ‘warm, wonderful, and caring man’.
‘It is with great sadness that the family of Dylan announce that he passed away suddenly and unexpectedly [on] Tuesday, March 20,’ they said in a statement, NZME reported.
‘Dylan was a very much loved husband and father to Tracy and their daughter Marley, and dearly loved son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend.
Mika played seven matches for the All Blacks after standing down for three years
The flanker’s family said the ‘warm, wonderful, and caring man’ passed away suddenly before social media tweets offered their support
Mika played 55 games for Auckland and 23 Super 12 games for the Blues in the Super 12
‘Dylan was a very much loved husband and father to Tracy and their daughter Marley, and dearly loved son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend,’ the family said in a statement (pictured: a tweet of support from fellow rugby star Ti’i Paulo)
‘He was a hugely talented athlete, well-respected in the Samoan community and abroad but just as importantly, to his friends and family a warm, wonderful, and caring man.
‘Gone far too soon at the age of just 45.’
The New Zealand Rugby Players Association took to social media to express their condolences to Mika’s family.
‘Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dylan Mika’s family & friends,’ a tweet read.