Wallaby coach Michael Cheika joins support for family of late Warringah Rat Lachlan Ward

WALLABIES coach Michael Cheika has joined in supporting the family of Lachlan Ward, the popular Warringah Rats rugby player who died on Saturday.

Tributes have flown in for Lachlan Ward. Picture: Facebook.

WALLABIES coach Michael Cheika joined the entire rugby community in supporting the family of Lachlan Ward, the popular Warringah Rats rugby player who died after collapsing while playing in a game on Saturday.

There has been an amazing outpouring of emotion from club mates, rival teams and the Wallabies, among many others, following the tragedy which rocked everyone in sport.

The 25-year-old was playing for the Warringah fifth grade side against Gordon at Rat Park when the incident occurred.

Players, officials and medical staff worked frantically to try and save him.

Wallaby coach Michael Cheika. Picture: Getty Images.

“It was very sad when we heard about it yesterday,” Cheika said at Sydney Airport on Sunday.

“Having played against Warringah for many years I know how close a family they are up there and they should know that everyone in Australian rugby is with the club, and obviously with the family.

“Because they are all our brothers, you know, when they are playing the game.

“It is sad, very, very sad.” .

Warringah Rats president Phil Parsons put a post on Facebook and said: “I write this through a flood of tears. I’m wordless.

Warringah Rats president Phil Parsons.

“We are family and you are my family.

“I have had messages from all over the world of heartfelt, sincere sympathy for the Ward family and club.

“I’m sincere in my comment that I don’t know what to do next except hug your family and support the Wards and extended family anyway we can.”

Wallabies hooker Stephen Moore said: “On behalf of the Wallabies and the broader rugby community, we want to show our support to his family in this time..

Wallaby Stephen Moore.

“You never like to see that on the rugby field and it’s a very sad day for Australian rugby. We certainly send all our best wishes to his family.

“It’s tragic anytime you see that, no matter what sport it is. We go out there to have fun and we love what we do.

“To see something like that it really does hit a chord that’s for sure.”

In moving scenes at the State Junior Championships on Sunday the Parramatta Under 17s led teams in a prayer for Lachlan Ward and that was followed by a minute’s silence.

The Junior Rats wore back armbands as a mark of respect for Lachlan.