Fatai Kefu, centre in the legendary 'Ikale Tahi team that defeated the Wallabies in 1973, passed away at the age of 68 years, on Saturday 29 June at his family home in Brisbane, Australia.

He played in the game in Ballymore that is considered by many to be one of the biggest upsets in Rugby World History, and the win put Tongan rugby on the map. He is remembered as a fearsome warrior of the old school 'Ikale Tahi and Souths Magpies teams of the 1970s.

Fatai Kefu, born in 1945, was among the first wave of Tongan immigrants to Australia where he and his wife Neo raised six children. Four were professional rugby players - two of whom were Wallabies and etched the Kefu surname into Australian Rugby. His son Toutai Kefu is one of Australia’s most celebrated rugby players and is credited for helping the Wallabies win the 1999 Rugby World Cup.

Fatai Kefu was an outstanding man of the community who encouraged the endeavours of Australian-Tongans in professional sports in Australia. He is survived by his wife Neo and children Toutai, Lucy, Steve, Fa'aleo, Mafi and Simi.