SAMOAN back row forward Kelly Meafua died last night after jumping from a bridge into Tarn River in southern France, said a source close to his club Montauban, confirming reports in La Depeche du Midi.

The 31-year-old earlier in the evening played in his side’s 48-40 win over Narbonne in the French second division.

“Everyone at USM is in complete shock, Meafua was so well-liked. We have not only lost a player, but also a friend and brother,” said the club in a statement.

Meafua was celebrating with his teammates their last home game of the season in a downtown nightclub before he was seen jumping from the Pont-Vieux, according to several testimonies.

One of his teammates, French prop Christopher Vaotoa, jumped into the water to help him.

Vaotoa, who was rescued by firefighters, was taken to hospital in a state of hypothermia before Meafua’s body was found early this morning.

Meafua played Sevens for Samoa and first came to France to play for Narbonne in 2015. He returned to play for Beziers in 2018, before switching to Montauban last season.

This season he played 24 matches in Pro2, scoring eight tries. – AFP, May 7, 2022.