A young Tongan rugby player died after being hit by a "vicious" double tackle during a club match in Houmakelikao, Tongatapu, on Saturday.

Siosifa Tu'ipulotu (27) was carried from the field and was declared dead on arrival at Vaiola Hospital, Nuku'alofa.

The fatal accident occurred during a training game between two amateur rugby clubs of Popua and Houmakelikao. According to spectators at the game, Siosifa was hit by "a vicious double tackle", with one player coming from the back and another from the front, which caused an injury, and Siosifa was vomiting blood when he was carried off the field.

The body of Siosifa was ferried to the island of Nomuka on Tuesday for burial on Wednesday March 3.

Siosifa is survived by his partner, a Danish woman, and their two children, a three-year-old boy and a one-year-old girl.

His death is the first recorded death from rugby in Tonga this century.