Former Kiwi rugby league star Matt Utai is in hospital in a serious condition after being shot multiple times in a drive‑by attack in Sydney early this morning.
Emergency services were called to Macquarie Street in Greenacre at around 6am following reports of gunfire, local media reported.
Police said the 44‑year‑old was shot outside a home by the occupants of a passing SUV, which immediately fled the scene.
Paramedics treated Utai at the location before rushing him to hospital with multiple gunshot wounds.
A short time later, police were alerted to a vehicle fire on Samuel Street in Wiley Park, about two kilometres from the shooting.
Officers located an SUV engulfed in flames and believe the vehicle is linked to the attack.
Crime scenes have been established at both locations by detectives from the Bankstown Police Area Command.
Utai, who was born in Auckland and represented both New Zealand and Samoa during his rugby league career, played for the Canterbury‑Bankstown Bulldogs and later the Wests Tigers.
Media reports confirm he is the victim in the shooting, though police have not formally released his name.
Authorities are continuing their investigation and have urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.
