Family, friends, fans and teammates of a promising young Tongan rugby player Uto Enosi Tu'ipulotu are in mourning after the 19 year-old passed away from cancer last week July 14 in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Uto played rugby for the small Canterbury town of Akaroa in New Zealand, having moved to Akaroa from Tonga in 2012. He attended the local high school where he was noted for his integrity and sporting prowess. He was selected for the New Zealand Area schools rugby team, and was awarded Under 18 player of the year by his rugby club, Ellesmere.

According to local reports, he had been undergoing treatment for a rare form of cancer after he was diagnosed a few months ago. Over $20,000 had been raised to fly in and accomodate Uto’s family from Tonga so they could be near him during his treatment and chemotherapy.

A fundraising page, set up for Uto during his treatment, stated “Uto is an outstanding young man. A great role model for the younger students at school and hugely respected for his integrity by his peers, teachers and anyone who knows him”.

Former school teacher of Uto, Garry Brittenden told local media last week "He came for three years and did really well with his studies. He's just a bloody amazing young man”

"He was hugely respected by his classmates and teachers at Akaroa Area School. He was the big gentle giant. He would always have one kid on his arm or one on his head”, he added.

"When he discovered he had cancer, the first thing he said was, 'I'm so glad it's me and not one of my brothers,'.

"That's the sort of kid he is," Brittenden said.