Atelea Okati

The 29 year-old has been a regular member of the Tongan sevens team for the past 10 years. He also played rugby for Penrith in Australia and for the past few months for CSM Olimpia Bucharest in Romania.

Okati most recently captained Tonga at the Oceania Sevens tournament in Fiji in November.

Tongan Rugby Union interim chief executive Fe'ao Vunipola says the Board of directors will make a presentation to Okati's widow and his family - including cultural gifts and a financial contribution.

The 29-year-old has been a regular fixture in Tonga's sevens team for a decade, and has also featured in the Shute Shield for Penrith and Romanian side CMS Olimpia Bucharest.

"When death strikes a team, there is no game plan for the pain," Bucharest coach Danie de Villiers said in a statement.

"Coaches like to believe that they can prepare for anything. Tricks, injury, extreme weather, know how to react in all circumstances.

"How can you put into words the emotion that you feel after receiving news so devastating?"