Former NRL Star Matt Utai Shot in Sydney Ambush

Former New Zealand and Samoa rugby league winger Matt Utai is currently in hospital in serious condition after being shot multiple times outside a home in Sydney on Tuesday morning.

The 44-year-old, who won an NRL premiership with Canterbury in 2004, was attacked at around 6:00 AM local time in Greenacres, located in Sydney’s western suburbs.

According to New South Wales Police, the shooting appears to be a targeted attack. Police Superintendent Rodney Hart described the incident as a “brazen ambush.”

Police believe the attack involved two males — one acting as the gunman and the other as the driver. The suspects were reportedly travelling in a white vehicle, possibly an SUV.

Utai was rushed to hospital and underwent emergency surgery after suffering gunshot wounds to his lower leg and his upper chest and shoulder area.

His former Canterbury teammate Mark O’Meley said Utai was “breathing OK” while receiving treatment.

A short time after the shooting, police found a vehicle matching the description burning in a nearby suburb. Authorities are treating both incidents as linked and have set up crime scenes at both locations.

Police have confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the public, but they have appealed for anyone with information or video footage to come forward.

Superintendent Hart also said Matt Utai is not suspected of involvement in organised crime, and police believe he may not be involved in any criminal activity.

Matt Utai was born in Auckland and represented New Zealand four times between 2002 and 2005, and later played three matches for Samoa in 2008.

During his NRL career, he scored 85 tries in 167 matches, playing for Canterbury Bulldogs and the Wests Tigers.

The Canterbury club released a statement saying they were deeply shocked and saddened by the attack, and added that their thoughts are with Utai and his family as they hope for his full recovery.