F finest,’ mourners told as All Black Dylan Mika honoured
was no doubt affected by his diabetes. However. . . he was committed to the cause and always gave 100 per cent.”
Niko Jones, deputy head boy of St Peter’s, paid tribute to an “amazing man”. “He’s so much more than just a rugby player, he’s a true inspiration.
“He was a born leader and he is a true St Peter’s man.”
St Peter’s old boy Nelson David spoke of Mika’s competitiveness.
“He was humble but confident. He liked to rub it in but knew when to take his foot off the pedal. We all remember him fondly.”
Former All Blacks captain and current Blues coach Tana Umaga spoke on behalf of Mika’s teammates.
“First time I came across Dylan was in 1993, it was my first year back in rugby. On the field he was tough, but off the field, you wouldn’t find a more kind-hearted person.
“The biggest thing is that he was so driven on and off the field, so quiet, but when he did speak, everyone listened,” Umaga said.
Mika played two tests for Samoa and, after serving a three-year standdown period, seven for the All Blacks, including two against Italy and South Africa at the 1999 World Cup.
A star of secondary school St Peter’s College, in the Auckland team of 1993/94 Mika began turning heads and he progressed to play in the great Blues Super Rugby teams of 1996-98, featuring at six, eight and lock.
All Blacks legend and NZ Barbarians patron Sir Bryan Williams called Mika one of the club’s finest.
“He always held a warm, smiling and welcoming presence,” Williams said.
“Dylan threw himself into his Barbarians work with no fuss. He’s definitely left his mark. The Barbarians club will fondly remember him. We have lost one of our finest.”
Late last week, Sir Michael Jones was among the first to mourn Mika.
Jones described Mika as a “little brother, unsung hero and inspirational leader throughout the New Zealand and Samoan rugby communities”.
Apart from his feats on the field, Mika left an even greater legacy off it, Jones said. “He was always a quiet achiever. That was a hallmark of his rugby career and life in business and administration.”