Former NRL star Matt Utai is in hospital preventing for his life after being shot a number of instances on his entrance garden, in what police are treating as an ambush assault with no clear motive.
The 2004 premiership-winning Canterbury winger was left with critical leg wounds after the assault in Greenacre, in western Sydney, at about 6am on Tuesday.
He underwent surgical procedure hours later.
Police had been advised pictures had been fired at a 44-year-old from an SUV that was later discovered burned out in Wiley Park.
“It’s a brazen ambush,” NSW police Supt Rodney Hart advised reporters on Tuesday.
Enroll: AU Breaking Information e mail
Native police have handed the investigation over to the organised crime-focused Raptor Squad. However a motive stays unclear, with Utai having no clear hyperlinks to prison exercise.
“This was undoubtedly focused,” Hart alleged. “Whether or not the sufferer was the supposed goal or it was someone that he is aware of or associates with or is expounded to will all kind a part of the investigation.”
Utai had walked out of his household dwelling and was about to drive to work when he was shot.
He was “clearly in a good bit of ache” however in a position to converse with arriving police who utilized first assist, Hart stated.
Utai was stabilised by paramedics after which taken to hospital in a critical however secure situation earlier than present process surgical procedure.
Utai starred within the 2004 NRL grand ultimate, scoring two tries as his Bulldogs knocked off the Sydney Roosters 16-13.
The New Zealand and Samoa worldwide performed 167 NRL video games, becoming a member of the Wests Tigers in 2011 and spending three seasons there.
The 2002 Dally M rookie of the yr completed his NRL profession with 85 tries.