News

All senior games in Counties Manukau will pause for a moment’s silence this weekend to pay tribute to Beachlands Maraetai U85kg player Cory Heather, who passed away tragically last weekend.

The 33-year-old Heather was injured during his side’s match against Patumahoe at Te Puru Park and was transported to hospital where he passed away late on Sunday.

Counties Manukau Rugby, alongside it’s senior clubs, have decided to implement a competition-wide moment of silence to acknowledge the tragedy and pay their respects to Heather, his family and friends and to his club.

In a show of unity among the U85kg community, each club in the grade has agreed to retire the #12 jumper, worn by Heather, for the remainder of the season. It is understood that there will be clubs from the Auckland, North Harbour, Waikato and Wellington U85kg grade that are likely to retire their #12 jerseys for this weekend also as a mark of respect.

The games that go ahead in the grade this week will have their team’s #12 jersey displayed alongside the match ball in the middle of the field during the moment’s silence.

Meanwhile the Patumahoe v Pukekohe match scheduled for this weekend in the U85kg grade has been postponed while players and officials that were present at Te Puru Park are given time to grieve and work through this difficult time.