Both men were members of the Kurow Rugby Club. Kurow coach Kevin Malcolm said the club was banding together to support Mr Smith's family, partner and team-mates. Mr Malcolm said Mr Smith was ''the tallest player in the valley, and he made sure everyone knew that''. Mr Malcolm had coached Mr Smith for the past three years. He believed the Kurow Rugby Club would work through the tragedy together and eventually recover from the losses.

Source: Otago Daily Times October 10, 2016 17:03 UTC