Tributes are flowing in from around the world for Tonga's National Rugby Sevens captain, Atelea Okati (28) who died on December 29 in a head-on collision at Veitongo that claimed two lives.

Atelea was well liked in rugby circles. He played professional rugby in Romania and captained the Tonga Rugby Sevens team in its recent successes.

Tonga Police released the names of the victims today. Atelea who was a front seat passenger and Unaloto Manuokafoa (30) a driver, died at the scene when a car they were in collided with a minibus at around 4:20 am on Thursday morning.

The driver of the oncoming vehicle was in critical condition but has since been discharged from hospital.

Since the tragedy, Atelea's former coach of Atelea Okati, Danie de Villiers of CSM Olimpia Bucharest, stated online "When death strikes a team, there is no game plan for the pain. How can you put into words the emotion that you feel after receiving news so devastating?"

World Rugby Sevens tweeted, "Our thoughts & condolences are with the friends & family of Tonga Sevens captain Atelea Okati, who has passed away following a car accident."

Related article: matangitonga.to/2016/12/29/head-crash-claims-two-lives-raises-road-toll-18