Peter Fatialofa R.I.P

Auckland and its Samoan community is in shock this morning at the news of the passing of the "Piano Mover".

"Fats" was the most influential person in the Samoan rugby community...

I enclose a dedication put up on stuff:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/9367750/Samoan-legend-Peter-Fatialofa-dies

This is very sad news. An absolute monster of a loosehead and a lovely bloke by all accounts. The world is a sadder place without him.

RIP Fats, he was certainly a character.

Sad to hear the news about him, still remember one of the first games i went to at Murrayfield was Scotland against Samoa in 1995 and he totally destroyed the scottish scrum that day. Great player and sounds like he was a great person and character.

RIP Fats

Yes just saw this myself. Tragic loss. Was lucky enough to play in a couple of matches and share a BBQ and pint or 3 with Fats in the 80's, although a Ponsonby stalwart a regular visitor out South Auckland way. Laid back, heart o' gold was Fats and a massive contributor to both Auckland and particularly Samoan rugby.

R.I.P Fats.

Just listening to a 1 hr interview between Graham Hill and Fats on radiosport. What an awesome guy with some hard case stories.

Listening to it. hes hilarious.

Yeah, hardcase eh, how about the story about him lifting a piano by himself in the store and the word getting out. Then he turned up to an away club game and there was a piano waiting for him in the middle of the pitch to shift.

ebop wrote:Yeah, hardcase eh, how about the story about him lifting a piano by himself in the store and the word getting out. Then he turned up to an away club game and there was a piano waiting for him in the middle of the pitch to shift.

There is a bit more to that story that he didnt tell:

It was down at Whitianga, and it was just after he'd started the piano moving business, anyway the locals thought they would just test Fats out and see how good he was.

So they put a bottle of rum and the piano out in the middle of the field on the half way line, and said to Fats "If you can get the piano over the side line on your own then you can have the bottle of rum".

Fats looks at the piano, looks around and sees the ground keepers trailer over by the carpark.

He goes over grabs the trailer, pulls it over to the piano, tips the piano into the trailer (bits of wire and keys hanging out all over the place ) grabs the trailer by the gooseneck, and drags it over to the sideline, the whole exercise from go to wo, was over in about 90 seconds.

Fats went back to the centre of the field and grabbed the rum.

Ha, what a cracker! Typical small town NZ hi jinks.

Fa'amaisega loloto

Such a sad day when great men like this pass.

Should be remembered that Fat's named his son Cardiff after their victory, his respect for Wales lasted his whole life and I dare say that respect was returned in bucket fulls.

When I think of Samoa, the image I have of people when I was there was people like Fats. Big infectious smile, down to earth, friendly people. He did a tower of work for Samoa and he will leave a big hole in the Samoan community in Auckland. A legend on and off the field, in life and beyond.

Sorry to hear...it always seems the good ones go first and the sh£tbags stay with us...

I will always remember Peter Fatialofa from my first ever international in 1991. Good times and v sad to hear he's gone.

Never heard of him. RIP.

Huge send off for Fats today in Auckland.

Anyone whos anyone in Rugby seemed to be there to see the very special man off.

Lived life and rugby to the max.