Top Kiwi commentator dies in Cape Town
NEWS: Top New Zealand broadcaster and former Tonga international, Willie Los’e, has died in Cape Town.
Los’e, who was a Sky Sport New Zealand rugby commentator, was 55.
He was in Cape Town for the Rugby World Cup Sevens, which is taking place this weekend.
According to stuff.co.nz, Los’e passed away from a “medical event”.
“We are very sorry to hear that Willie Los’e passed away last night in South Africa. Willie was a long-serving and highly-regarded member of the Sky Sport commentary team and the wider Sky family. Our thoughts and condolences are with Willie’s whānau at this time,” Sky Sport NZ said on social media.
Los’e’s family confirmed his death in a statement.
“The Los’e whānau would like to thank Karl Te Nana, Bailey Mackey and World Rugby boss Steve Jamieson for contacting us directly from South Africa this morning relating to the sudden passing of our brother Willie.
“We ask that as a whānau, we be given time to process and work through our devastating loss and the logistics of repatriation of our brother, father, uncle, son home. We are awaiting details from Cape Town.
“Thanks to Steve Jamieson who has spoken to the New Zealand High Commission, who will be heading to Cape Town tomorrow to help with the repatriation of Willie’s body to bring him home to Aotearoa.
“We as a whānau are thankful to all Willie’s friends from around the world who have sent to Willie’s friends from around the world who have sent their condolences and support.
“Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou.”
Los’e played for Auckland and North harbour in New Zealand.
He also played for the New Zealand Under-21 side before going on to represent Tonga at the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa.
We are very sorry to hear that Willie Los’e passed away last night in South Africa. Willie was a long-serving and highly-regarded member of the Sky Sport commentary team and the wider Sky family.
Our thoughts and condolences are with Willie’s whānau at this time 🖤 pic.twitter.com/LIKSimo54V
— Sky Sport NZ (@skysportnz) September 8, 2022
