New Zealand international Quentin Pongia dies after bowel cancer battle

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New Zealand international Quentin Pongia has been remembered as "a true champion with a heart of gold" after he died after a battle with bowel cancer on Saturday morning, aged 48.

He forged a legacy as one of rugby league's toughest enforcers and helped the Canberra Raiders to their last premiership in 1994.

"From my personal relationship, and behalf of the current playing group, I'd like to pass on my sincere condolences to Quentin's family in this tough time," Pongia's former teammate and current Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said. "Like a number of players who played with him, I have nothing but respect and a wonderful friendship with Quentin and although it saddens me to hear of the news, it comforts me to know he has no pain now.

"Quentin is the toughest individual I have ever played with and I know how hard he fought to beat this terrible disease. He will be sorely missed right across the rugby league community."

The Raiders will wear black armbands in honour of Pongia during their clash with the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night.

Tributes flowed in on social media for a man former Raiders captain Terry Campese said "put his heart and soul into the green jumper every time he put it on".

Canberra skipper Jarrod Croker said Pongia was a "great man taken too soon".

A heartbroken Joel Thompson wrote "we've lost a true champion with a heart of gold. I'm going to miss you".

Pongia played 74 of his 137 first-grade games with the Raiders, having also spent time with the New Zealand Warriors, Sydney Roosters and the St George Illawarra Dragons. Following that came two seasons with the Wigan Warriors in England.

The Kiwi great had worked on the Raiders coaching staff following his retirement before moving on to Manly.

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