Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs stars have rallied around their former teammate after a shock shooting in Sydney on Tuesday morning left him in critical condition.
Former NRL winger Matt Utai was shot in a drive-by attack outside his home in Greenacre in Sydney’s southwest.
The 44-year-old was struck by multiple bullets, including wounds to his upper body and leg, after a vehicle drove past and opened fire about 6am.
Emergency services treated him at the scene before he was rushed to hospital in a serious condition, where he underwent emergency surgery.
Police believe the shooting was targeted and established crime scenes in Greenacre and nearby Wiley Park, where a burnt-out SUV was later found.
Detectives are now investigating the motive behind the attack and whether Utai was the intended target.
Former Bulldogs winger Matt Utai remains in critical condition after brazen early-morning drive-by attack outside Greenacre home
Teammates pray for 2004 premiership star as he battles through emergency surgery following targeted Sydney shooting
Matt Utai starred in the 2004 premiership, scoring two tries in the Grand Final win over the Roosters
Utai made his NRL debut with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in 2002 and quickly built a reputation as a powerful, hard-running winger despite his small stature.
He was a key member of the Bulldogs’ 2004 premiership side, scoring two tries in their Grand Final victory over the Sydney Roosters.
Utai was one of the competition’s most prolific try-scorers during his peak years, regularly finishing among the Bulldogs’ top finishers out wide.
Former Bulldogs halfback Brent Sherwin praised Utai for his toughness after receiving the devastating news.
‘He was a massive part of our team, not just scoring tries, but taking the hard carries on our own line,’ Sherwin told SMH.
‘He never shirked away from any of it, he put his hand up and took it all. He had a big heart. We’re praying he will be OK.’
Premiership-winning prop Mark O’Meley said Utai’s former teammates had all come together after the shooting.
‘Everyone has been on the group chat all morning, we just hope he’s OK,’ he said.
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And former Bulldog Reni Matua gave fans an update on Utai’s condition.
‘He’s breathing on his own, and they’ve said he’s ‘critical but stable’,’ Maitua said.
‘I’m just really shocked and saddened by the news. I know it’s shaken up all the boys.’
Utai stepped onto the international stage with New Zealand after his breakthrough first-grade season, earning selection for the Kiwis and going on to make four appearances.
He later switched allegiance to Samoa and featured at the 2008 World Cup, crossing for two tries in three matches during the tournament.
Injuries began to take their toll in the latter part of his Bulldogs tenure, and he departed the club in 2009 after several disrupted seasons.
A planned move to Super League outfit Celtic Crusaders fell through in 2010 due to injury concerns, before he signed with the Wests Tigers in 2011 and played there until retiring at the end of 2013.
Across his NRL career with Canterbury and the Wests Tigers, Utai scored 85 tries in 167 appearances.
