FORMER WALLABIES star Toutai Kefu fought back tears Friday as he relived a traumatic burglary that left four members of his family injured, but said he did not hate the teenage intruders.
The 47-year-old current Tonga coach was rushed to hospital on Monday after being stabbed at his house in an alleged attack by four youths armed with knives, an axe and a machete.
His wife, son and daughter were also hurt.
“I’m just grateful that we all got out,” he told reporters outside his Brisbane home after being released from hospital.
“We’re alive. You know, there might be a little bit of damage moving forward, but we’re still breathing.
“You know at times, there’s outbursts of crying,” he added. “I think the first step for us is just getting back to the house and then we take it day by day.
“It’s a traumatic event so it’s going to be a slow process.”
Four suspects aged between 13 and 15 have been arrested and charged with a host of offences, including attempted murder.
But rather than animosity, Kefu said he felt sorry for them.
“When I actually came downstairs, I could see how young they were. I was shocked,” he said. “And to find out they were 15- and 13-year-olds involved. I was really shocked.
“I don’t hate them — I’ve got a 15-year-old. I feel sorry for them.”
While Kefu, his son and daughter have been released from hospital, his wife Rachel is still recovering and waiting to see whether she will regain full use of her arm.
“At one stage, I think the doctor said to her if the blade was sharper it would have cut her whole arm off — but the bone actually stopped the blade,” he said.
“So it was really graphic and she’s a trooper, Rach.”
Kefu was born in Tonga but played 60 times for the Wallabies and won the 1999 Rugby World Cup before taking over with the Pacific Islanders five years ago.
Hope so tipp are the only county that have no fear off kk.
If Tipp had no fear of Kilkenny I honestly think that they would have beating them more over the last few years,in 09 they panicked and got a red card,10 everything went right for them,11 they just didn’t turn up,12 they catastrophic collapse in the 2nd half,13 they somehow lost against a badly patched up KK team that was missing half and the other half were playing with injuries and then in 2014 they just couldn’t win even though it was probably the best 1-15 team performance of modern times.They all played UNREAL that day! And then this year it was like a false dawn for them.I’m a Kilkenny fan and Im not being biast but I really question that attitude.I have seen all their shortcomings in the last few years,I think that when push comes to shove that they lack something…….. I don’t know what,but Iv seen enough to have a hunch that I would question them rather than saying Kilkenny are just a great team.And this is coming from a Kilkenny man!
Absolute spot on analysis from you Ionatan with a fada ,Tipp do have the leaders in the team when it counts.
Do not not not not
I realise his commitments mean he is a busy but personally I’d love to Eamon O Shea appointed to a Director of Hurling type roll within the game, whatever your view on his successes or failure’s with, any true hurling person will have to agree that his brand of hurling and philosophy on the game is exactly where the sport should be moving. How many of the genuine hurling classics over last 6 years are down to his attacking free flowing style of hurling. Would love to see it implemented across the hurling landscape…
Hurling has always been attacking and free flowing! there was very few classics last year but overall its always been a fast paced game you cant attribute that to oshea
If they have as much success in the next 10 years as they did with O’Shea as manager it won’t be a good legacy will it!!!
@ OneDay
Does your anus ever get jealous of the sh!+ that flows from your mouth
Another article another negative comment
Negative but true. One Munster title in 3 years for a top team like Tipp is pathetic.
Brian Cody has left a legacy, forget the rest. Winning All Ireland’s is the only stat that counts. Fanning and Tipp may forget the talk of legacys and past managers as currently Tipp’s time is passing them by.
Spot on! One All Ireland from the team that was going to do a 5 in a row! Truly dreadful.
But it’s 5 titles in 8 yrs, it depends what slant you put on it OneDay, it’s your negative comments towards any other county bar Kilkenny that is pathetic
It’s one Munster title in 3 years with O’Shea as manager. There is no other slant to put on it.
All other hurling teams are rubbish. Kilkenny are the only team who are enjoyable to watch.
So OneDay I’ll ask you once again, are you a liar or just someone who jumps on the bandwagon, as you have already said you neither come from or live in kilkenny. Simple question asked, simple answer required.
No
Hon the mines, we have a shit record , 5 al Ireland’s in the last 45 years , jasus even Clare have won 3 and lads are talking about legacies , tipp hurling is a joke , all the talk after 2010 senior and 21 wins , ya tipp will be around for a long time , take a look at what has happened since = jack shit
Let’s be honest at the start of summer it’s an all ireland the big teams want not a provincial championship
“One day Frank from killkenny” is still telling porkies, poor chap has such bitterness and is so far up his own hole he is lost in in his own shite.
Some legacy lost lost lost !!
Where did ya get that from gary?
10 years of failure
Scholars full a scutter like the auld lad.
I see you don’t have the balls to show your face either , great lad hiding behind this site , a coward
Mike Meara from Toom won a lot for tipp didn’t he declan.
A lot more that you did you piece of shit
Hon the mines , I wonder who is in there let have a guess, Sean Q is that you?