Former NRL Star Matt Utai in Critical Condition After Shooting

Former NRL star Matt Utai is fighting for his life after being shot multiple times outside his home in Sydney, Australia. The 38-year-old former winger, who played for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and Wests Tigers, was rushed to hospital in a critical condition after the shooting.

According to reports, Utai was shot in the early hours of the morning outside his home in the Sydney suburb of Liverpool. The exact circumstances surrounding the shooting are still unclear, but police are currently investigating the incident.

The shooting has sent shockwaves through the rugby league community, with many of Utai's former teammates and colleagues expressing their concern for his well-being. "We're all in shock and our thoughts are with Matt and his family," said a spokesperson for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

Utai played 194 NRL games for the Bulldogs and Wests Tigers between 2002 and 2012. He was a key player for the Bulldogs during their premiership-winning season in 2004 and was known for his speed and agility on the field.

The shooting is the latest in a string of violent incidents to affect the NRL community in recent years. In 2019, former NRL player Jarryd Hayne was charged with aggravated sexual assault, and in 2020, former player Jack de Belin was charged with aggravated sexual assault.

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and police are urging anyone with information to come forward. "We are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has any information to contact us," said a spokesperson for the New South Wales Police.

As the investigation continues, the rugby league community is rallying around Utai and his family. "Our thoughts are with Matt and his family during this difficult time," said a spokesperson for the NRL. "We hope he makes a full recovery and is back on his feet soon."

Utai's family has released a statement thanking the public for their support and asking for privacy during this difficult time. "We are grateful for the outpouring of support and well wishes for Matt, but we ask that our family's privacy is respected during this time," the statement read.

The shooting of Matt Utai is a sobering reminder of the dangers of violence and the importance of community support. As the investigation continues, the rugby league community will be holding its breath, hoping for a full recovery for the former NRL star.