13 replies to this topic

[fillipo del toro]

I understand ex Hornet Paul Okesene has died aged 44 in France of a heart attack RIP big man a tough 100% giving Kiwi.

[DaveButt]

Very very sad news indeed. Oke was not just a great player but also a true gent and a great character.
R.I.P. big fella

[ArthurDaley]

I can still feel the hit Paul put on the Saints fullback, in the final of the Lancashire cup.

RIP Paul

[ornit4ever]

I can still feel the hit Paul put on the Saints fullback, in the final of the Lancashire cup.

RIP Paul

That tackle will live in our memories forever, whenever Hornets supporters talk about hard tackles that one is always recalled.

He was a great player and an equally likeable person and gentleman.
R.I.P great man.

[hitman hornet]

You know what'
I'm gunna watch that game on DVD now.
RIP Paul

[fillipo del toro]

You know what'
I'm gunna watch that game on DVD now.
RIP Paul

Would love to borrow or get a copy from you WH...

[hitman hornet]

not a problem'
ive got the Video , wich is signed by all the lads'
and ive got a copy on DVD'
but yea, let me know when and you can borrow it by all means

[DiddyDave]

I`m just trying to recall if this is the same Okesene that played for the NZ Warriors in their first season in the NRL back in 1995. Somehow the Christian name doesn`t ring a bell,but it could be him. He had long flowing locks and took the ball up with his head very high and was a great hit with the fans for a while,but the Aussies soon worked him out and he just drifted off into obscurity. Just remembered,the bloke I`m thinking about was called Hitro,or something similar,is it the same bloke?

[DaveButt]

No that was his brother

[Keith T]

I`m just trying to recall if this is the same Okesene that played for the NZ Warriors in their first season in the NRL back in 1995. Somehow the Christian name doesn`t ring a bell,but it could be him. He had long flowing locks and took the ball up with his head very high and was a great hit with the fans for a while,but the Aussies soon worked him out and he just drifted off into obscurity. Just remembered,the bloke I`m thinking about was called Hitro,or something similar,is it the same bloke?

Hitro Okesene was a big favourite at Workington and still lives in the area.

[DiddyDave]

Ok,thanks for clearing that up. Hitro obviously went back to where his missus comes from,far from his South Pacific home of fresh fish and coconut trees!

[fillipo del toro]

not a problem'
ive got the Video , wich is signed by all the lads'
and ive got a copy on DVD'
but yea, let me know when and you can borrow it by all means

Yeah i would like that, i go away pretty soon, but a copy on DVD (dont have a VCR anymore) would be great. Be great to watch it along with My Cas & Hull KR home, Leigh Away DVDs from the Bobbie era on them long cold out of season winter nights. Its funny but the Oldham fan in the gym keeps threatening me with the playoff semi final DVD complete with BIFF commentary, ive told him he will need an ambulance, some rubber gloves and pray for a nurse with small hands if he brings it in...
Cheers WH i will be intouch in the next month

[Hornets Nest]

Quite often overseas players come over just for financial reasons and never really have the club at heart but this was far from the case with Paul.

He used to spend hours down at the club helping out either in the office of in the dressing rooms.

I also remember him showing the physio’s alternative methods of how to treat injuries which always gave the staff a chuckle.

Stan never used to hide the fact Paul was one of the coaches favourites which was down to his honesty and leadership qualities

RIP Paul

[Mad Mal the Mauler]

Samoan rugby leagueman Paul Okesene who represented Western Samoa and American Samoa in rugby league has passed away in Barcelona.
Okesene competed in the Pacific Cup league with Western Samoa in 1986 and American Samoa in 1992.
At 44 years of age, Okesene had driven the Perpignan players to their game against Toulouse. A victorious match was made sombre at the news that their bus driver and friend Paul Okesene had suffered a heart attack in the car park of the Montjuic Olympic Stadium just before kickoff and died later in hospital.
“A victory which in other circumstances would have been celebrated mightily, but it is sadness which has taken over,” said Perpignan president Paul Goze. “Rugby is a match, but it is only a sport, here we are talking about the life of a man.”
Okesene is the brother of former Kiwis hooker Hrito. He is survived by his two children Marie-Ange and Luca.