Rugby Star Matt Utai Survives Shooting in Sydney

Former New Zealand and Samoa winger, Matt Utai, was hospitalized after being shot outside a Sydney residence. The 44-year-old underwent emergency surgery due to multiple gunshot wounds. Police are investigating the incident, suspecting linkage to a vehicle found ablaze shortly after the shooting in a nearby suburb.

Former New Zealand and Samoa rugby winger, Matt Utai, is currently hospitalized following a shooting outside a Sydney home. The 44-year-old underwent emergency surgery after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds, as reported by Australian media.

Mark O'Meley, Utai's former teammate at Canterbury, assured that Utai was 'breathing OK' in the hospital. 'Everyone has been on the group chat all morning, and we just hope he's OK,' O'Meley expressed to The Australian newspaper.

Police investigations are underway concerning a 'public place shooting' involving an SUV in the western suburb of Greenacre at around 6 a.m. local time. The vehicle was later discovered on fire in a nearby suburb, with detectives linking both incidents.

(With inputs from agencies.)