| Born | (1969-01-10)10 January 1969 Tonga | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Died | 22 April 2024(2024-04-22) (aged 55) Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 252 lb (114 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Heamani Lavaka (10 January 1969 – 22 April 2024) was a Tongan rugby union player who played as prop.
Lavaka was first capped forTonga during the match againstSamoa inApia, on 13 July 1996. He was also part of the2003 Rugby World Cup roster coached byJim Love, playing four matches in the tournament, with the match againstCanada inWollongong on 29 October 2003 being his last international test cap. At club level, Lavaka played theAustralian Rugby Championship forMelbourne Rebels in the 2007–08 season.[1]
Lavaka was hospitalised inSydney, Australia in March 2024 due to internal bleeding and subsequently underwent a number of surgeries. He died on 22 April, at the age of 55.[2]