Footy legend Olsen Filipaina dies after suffering kidney failure aged 64

Rugby league legend Olsen Filipaina has sadly died in hospital from kidney failure after being admitted to hospital last month with a stomach infection.

The Kiwi trailblazer dubbed ‘The Galloping Garbo’ was among the first Pacific Island players to make it big in Australia playing for North Sydney, Eastern Suburbs and Balmain during the 1980’s as well as representing New Zealand.

The 64-year-old, who was suffering from lupus, spent 17 days at Sydney’s Westmead Hospital on a ventilator in the ICU before eventually losing his battle.

It comes just one day after the death of St George legend Johnny Raper – widely regarded as the game’s greatest ever forwards.

On two occasions, the powerful five-eighth who also worked as a garbage collector during his career, was called up from reserve grade to play Test match football.

Filipaina famously claimed player of the series when marking up against immortal Wally Lewis in the 1985 international series against Australia.

While the tough-as-nails playmaker was regarded as a hardman of the game, he was also known for his trademark smile and rarely responded with his fists – even in the face of racial abuse by other players.

‘If I had punched someone and got sent off, people don’t care why,’ Filipaina told New Zealand’s Stuff in May last year.

‘It would shame my parents and family name and as one of the first Polynesians, I didn’t want to give us a troublemaker stereotype.’

The Rugby league legend (pictured at Leichardt Oval) sadly died in hospital from kidney failure after being admitted to hospital last month with a stomach infection

‘If you called me ‘n****’ or ‘black b*****’, I would take your number and if I don’t get you this game, I’ll wait the whole season and I’ll get you in the end. Call me whatever you want but I would tell them, ‘I’m not going away’.’

‘I knew how to handle myself from growing up in Mangere East, but I really didn’t want the headlines or to get a reputation as a brawler. It’s hard to explain, but I couldn’t let my mum down.’

Greats of the game payed tribute to Filipaina after hearing the tragic news.

‘I am devastated, it’s terrible news. I’m really upset,’ Balmain Tigers teammate Garry Jack told the Daily Telegraph. ‘Olsen was a great fellow.

‘When he put his mind to it, Olsen was unstoppable. Not too many get over the top of Wally but Olsen did that in 1985.

‘Olsen was a very proud Kiwi. Once he pulled on that black and white jersey, my God, he became unstoppable. I’ve never seen a player transform the way he did when playing for his country.’

Filipaina racked up 77 games for Balmain, eight for Easts and 18 for Norths and represented New Zealand 50 times between 1977 and 1986

Legendary Kiwi Dane Sorensen, said The Big O was a quiet guy off the field but once he got out there in the black and white, he was an inspiration to us all.

‘He was big and strong and would run through brick walls for his mates,’ he told Wide World of Sports.

‘There were games we should not have won – the Aussies were so much superior to us on paper – but Olsen got us over the line.

‘One famous day he was struggling for the Tigers and was in reserve grade but the Kiwi selectors had faith in him – they chose him and he was man of the match in a great New Zealand win.’

Filipaina racked up 77 games for Balmain, eight for Easts and 18 for Norths.

He also represented New Zealand 50 times between 1977 and 1986 and captained Western Samoa in the 1988 Pacific Cup.

In 2007 the Kiwi star was named one of New Zealand Rugby League’s ‘Legends of League’.