8 Rugby Players Who Died 2014

8 Rugby Players Who Died 2014

Ryan Tandy 

Ryan Tandy was an Australian-born rugby league prop whose tumultuous career spanned five NRL clubs and a stint in England’s Super League, before his life ended tragically at just 32. Debuting in first grade in 2003 with St. George Illawarra, Tandy went on to wear the jerseys of South Sydney Rabbitohs, Wests Tigers, Melbourne Storm and Canterbury‑Bankstown Bulldogs, amassing 36 top‑flight appearances; he also featured for Hull Kingston Rovers in 2007 and represented Ireland at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, helping his adopted nation top their group before bowing out to Fiji . His career highlight came as part of Melbourne’s premiership‑winning squad in 2009—later stripped due to salary‑cap breaches—but soon after he signed with Canterbury he became embroiled in Australia’s most notorious match‑fixing scandal. In a June 2010 clash against North Queensland, Tandy deliberately conceded a penalty in front of his own posts to manipulate the first points market; though the Cowboys ignored the kick and scored a try instead, New South Wales police charged him with betting offences, and in February 2011 he was convicted, fined, and ultimately banned for life from the NRL . Away from the field he battled gambling debts, was linked to an alleged kidnapping over a drug debt and faced intensive correction orders—troubles that colleagues say he fought bravely but could not fully overcome. On 28 April 2014, Tandy was found dead at his Saratoga home on Sydney’s Central Coast; authorities reported no suspicious circumstances, and tributes poured in recalling him as a larger‑than‑life figure, a joker in the dressing room, and a cautionary example of sport’s fragile intersection with personal demons.

Greg Mackey

Greg “Bluey” Mackey was an Australian rugby league utility back whose remarkable career stretched across three continents and more than fifteen seasons. Born 20 October 1961 in Sydney, Mackey began with the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 1980, making 28 first‑grade appearances before moving to France’s Paris Châtillon XIII and then returning home to star for the Illawarra Steelers (1984–88), where he notched 29 tries in 105 games . In 1989 he joined the Canterbury‑Bankstown Bulldogs for a season, racking up 14 matches and demonstrating his versatility. Later that year he ventured to England with Warrington Wolves, initially in a brief nine‑game stint, before signing with Hull FC, where as captain and five‑eighth he led the “Airlie Birds” to Premiership glory in May 1991—earning the Harry Sunderland Trophy as man of the match in a 14–4 win over Widnes at Old Trafford . Mackey then returned to Warrington for a second spell (1992–96), setting a club record of 98 consecutive appearances and cementing his status as one of the Wolves’ all‑time greats. Versatile across five‑eighth, halfback, centre and fullback, he later closed out his career with Huddersfield Giants in 1996. After battling a diagnosis of bowel cancer in December 2011, Mackey suffered a fatal heart attack at his Sydney home on 24 September 2014, aged 52, prompting tributes from across the rugby league world .

Tinus Linee

Marthinus “Tinus” Linee was born on 23 August 1969 in Paarl and emerged as a stalwart centre in South African rugby, representing Western Province in 112 Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup matches between 1992 and 2001, helping secure titles in 1997, 2000 and 2001 . Although he never earned a Springbok test cap, Linee was selected for tours in 1993 and 1994, debuting against Victoria in Melbourne on 21 July 1993 and accumulating nine tour appearances, before concluding his international journey in Pontypridd in November 1994 . Known for his fearsome defense and bone-crunching tackles, he earned respect as a no-nonsense centre and team leader both on and off the field . After hanging up his boots, Linee transitioned to coaching and development, serving as a Western Province development officer and joining the Vodacom Cup management in 2008, before moving in 2012 to Romania as assistant coach to Chester Williams at RCM Universitatea Timișoara, where they clinched the SuperLiga CEC Bank title . In April 2013, he was diagnosed with motor neuron disease, a battle that saw him auction personal memorabilia to cover medical costs and rely on community fundraisers, with a ventilator stabilizing his condition by April 2014 despite severe paralysis in his hands . Linee passed away at his Paarl home on 3 November 2014 at the age of 45, leaving behind his wife, Diana, her two sons, and a daughter from his first marriage; his legacy of courage and camaraderie continues to inspire the rugby fraternity.

Reg Gasnier

Reginald “Reg” Gasnier, often hailed as one of rugby league’s all-time great centres, was born on 12 May 1939 in Mortdale, New South Wales. Raised in a sporting family—his father, Jim, played rugby union—Gasnier burst onto the first-grade scene as a teenager with the St. George Dragons in 1958. Blessed with blistering pace, sublime footwork and an uncanny ability to spot a scoring opportunity, he became the linchpin of the Dragons’ record‑setting run of 11 consecutive New South Wales Rugby League premierships between 1959 and 1969. In his 10‑year club career he amassed 125 appearances and crossed for 127 tries, a remarkable strike rate that cemented his reputation as a prolific finisher. Internationally, Gasnier debuted for the Australian Kangaroos in 1959, going on to play 39 Tests and World Cup matches, captaining his country in 1962 and 1963 and scoring 32 Test tries, a tally that stood for decades. His elegant combination of strength and grace earned him the nickname “Puff the Magic Dragon,” and he was widely admired for his sportsmanship and humility off the field. Forced into premature retirement by a severe knee injury in 1967, he nonetheless remained a central figure in the rugby league community: as a coach, selector and later as a mentor to younger generations. In recognition of his services to the game, he was named in both the Australian and St. George “Teams of the Century,” and was inducted as a “Immortal” of rugby league in 1981, one of the sport’s highest honors. Reg Gasnier passed away on 11 May 2014, one day shy of his 75th birthday, leaving behind a legacy of excellence, integrity and inspiration that continues to resonate across the rugby league world.

Jack Kyle

John “Jack” Kyle, born John Wilson Kyle on 10 August 1926 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, stands as one of the most revered figures in the history of Irish rugby. Educated at Methodist College Belfast, Kyle combined academic excellence with an early affinity for sport, representing his school in both rugby and cricket before reading medicine at Queen’s University Belfast. He made his international debut at just 21 years old against France in the Five Nations Championship of 1947 and went on to earn 47 caps for Ireland between 1947 and 1958, captaining the side in 1956. Operating at fly-half, his combination of tactical acumen, elusive running lines, and impeccable passing helped spearhead Ireland’s first Grand Slam victory in 61 years during the 1948 Championship, with Kyle contributing pivotal scores and match-winning flair. In 1950 he was selected for the British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand and Australia, where he played in all six Tests and was lauded for his creativity against some of the toughest defences in world rugby. Off the pitch, Kyle completed his medical training and served as a general practitioner, earning respect for his compassion and integrity in equal measure to his sporting prowess. In recognition of his services to rugby, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1959 and was among the inaugural inductees into the IRB (now World Rugby) Hall of Fame in 2007. Jack Kyle passed away on 28 November 2014, aged 88, leaving a legacy defined by elegance, sportsmanship, and enduring inspiration for generations of players in Ireland and beyond.

Sarah Chesters

Sarah Chesters, a 23‑year‑old full‑back for Longton RUFC and research intern for the campaign group Women in Sport, tragically died on 21 November 2014, more than a month after suffering a blunt‑force injury to the side of her neck during a match on 19 October 2014. Despite experiencing pain in her collarbone immediately after being tackled, she walked off the pitch and continued her two‑hour daily commute from Stoke‑on‑Trent to London, where she held a master’s degree in Sociology of Sport from Loughborough and had previously earned a first‑class history degree at Manchester Metropolitan University. On 13 November, Sarah began feeling dizzy at work and sought advice at a walk‑in centre, which recommended rest, but her condition rapidly worsened that night; she was hospitalized after violent vomiting and later suffered multiple brain infarctions when a blood clot formed on the damaged artery. Consultant neurosurgeon Simon Shaw told the inquest that the stroke was almost certainly triggered by the tackle, and North Staffordshire coroner Ian Smith recorded an accidental‑death verdict. Known for her strength, dedication, and “battling” spirit despite her petite stature, Sarah was remembered fondly by family and teammates. In her memory, over £1,800 was raised at a charity tournament at Manchester Metropolitan University, and Bradwell Belles organized a tribute match benefiting the Stroke Association, honoring her passion for playing and coaching the game she loved.

Frank Oliver

Francis James “Frank” Oliver was born on 24 December 1948 in Dunedin, New Zealand, and educated at Lawrence District High School, before making his provincial debut for Southland in 1969; over the next decade and a half he would rack up 213 first‑class games across Southland (64), Otago (8) and Manawatu (54) before hanging up his boots in 1983 . A towering lock‑forward at 1.91 m and 107 kg, Oliver earned his first All Blacks call‑up for the 1976 tour to South Africa and went on to appear in 43 matches for New Zealand—including 17 full tests—between 1976 and 1981, captaining the side in four fixtures and famously “diving” out of a 1978 Cardiff line‑out to win a match‑deciding penalty that sealed a 13–12 victory over Wales . Known for his no‑nonsense approach and unwavering work ethic, he was remembered by teammates like Andy Haden as “down to earth” yet commanding of respect on and off the field . After retiring as a player, Oliver transitioned seamlessly into coaching: he led the New Zealand Under‑19s in 1994, Manawatu from 1995 to 1997, and became the inaugural Hurricanes Super Rugby coach from 1996 to 1999 before a stint with the Auckland Blues in 2001 . Beyond rugby, he ran a successful sawmill business in Palmerston North and worked in the forestry sector up until his sudden death in his sleep on 16 March 2014, aged 65 . His legacy endures not only in New Zealand’s rugby annals but also through his sons Anton—who also captained the All Blacks—and James, who carved out his own provincial career, making the Olivers the first father‑and‑son duo to both lead the national side .

Gawie Visagie

Gabriël Pieter “Gawie” Visagie was born on 31 March 1955 in Vereeniging, Gauteng, and educated at HTS Kimberley, where he first caught the eye of selectors at the 1973 Craven Week tournament. After completing his national service in Pretoria, he returned to the Northern Cape to work for the Associated Manganese Mines of South Africa and made his provincial debut for Griqualand West in 1977, going on to play 39 games for the union through 1980. In 1981 he relocated to Natal, adding 42 appearances for the Sharks between 1981 and 1985, and played a pivotal role as a versatile back—principally at scrumhalf but equally adept at fly‑half and centre—when Natal reached the Currie Cup final in 1984. That same year he toured with the Springboks in New Zealand, contributing two tries in three tour matches even though he did not earn a full test cap . Alongside teammates like Darius Botha and Willie du Plessis, he was honoured as one of the five SA Rugby Young Players of the Year in 1979 . Beloved by fellow Sharks and KZNRU stalwarts, he was celebrated at the 30‑year reunion of the 1984 squad just months before his passing. After a courageous battle with cancer, Visagie died on 19 November 2014 in Durban at the age of 59, survived by his wife, Janet, and their two children; his loss was mourned across South African rugby, with the Sharks and KwaZulu‑Natal Rugby Union expressing their profound sadness at his passing.