Warriors mourn murdered junior

[Foordy]

Has anyone seen this, it is a tragedy and a sad day for rugby league ... my sympathies go out to his family, friends and club.

FIFTY of New Zealand’s most promising young league stars are being counselled for grief following the murder of rising junior Warriors star Luke Tipene.The 17-year-old was tragically killed while trying to break up a fight at a party last Friday night, allegedly stabbed in the neck by a broken bottle, leaving his family, friends and teammates devastated.

A 16-year-old boy charged with Tipene’s murder made a brief appearance in court on Tuesday and was remanded in custody until November 19, when he is due to appear at the High Court of Auckland.

Tipene, a popular footballer, was farewelled at an emotional service in Auckland on Tuesday and his body has been taken to a marae six hours north of the city to be buried on Thursday after a traditional two-day Maori wake.

Warriors academy and pathways manager Duane Mann, who is close to the Tipene family, described Luke as “an extraordinary young man” and confirmed he would have played for the Warriors under-20s side next year.

“Luke was a young leader, he wasn’t your typical 17-year-old in behaviour and attitude, he was beyond his years,” Mann said.

“He had great respect for his elders, and he was a boy who would speak to other kids’ parents, he was confident in having conversations with older people.

“He didn’t drink, he didn’t smoke, he was the fittest player in the junior Warriors system.”

The tragedy was the second suffered by the Tipene family, after Luke’s father was found dead 12 years to the day of Luke’s murder.

Luke had become the man of the house, Mann said, and had been working with his uncles to save money so his family could buy their own house.

Tipene’s mother and his three sisters — one of which is his twin — are “broken”, Mann said.

Tipene was not at the party, but had gone there to pick up some friends who had asked for a lift home. Soon after he arrived, a brawl broke out involving several people.

Tipene went to break up the fight and was allegedly stabbed.

“The family are broken,” Mann said. “Luke was mapping out where he wanted to go, his family were on an upward spiral.

“He was an extremely respectful, extraordinary young man. People who knew him would say he had a cheeky spirit. “He was never shy of saying ‘hello’.”

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...th-broken-bottle/story-fniabrvd-1227111222336

 

[Big Pete]

Yeah, [MENTION=8274]I bleed Maroon[/MENTION] posted it elsewhere.

Shocking news. Would hate to think how his family or friends are feeling, I know if I lost anyone around that time it would tear me up inside.

 

[I bleed Maroon]

Yep, disgusting. The world can be a very dangerous place.

 

[Huge]

An utter tragedy ....a life barely lived taken by a savage, his life ruined as well.