Footy great who played for his country dies aged just 58 after mystery 'medical event'

Former All Blacks star Shayne Philpott has died in New Zealand following a mystery 'medical event'.

Philpott was just 58.

Renowned for his versatility, Philpott could fill most positions in the backline during his playing days.

He played 12 games and two Tests for the All Blacks after making his debut on the 1988 tour of Australia, just months after rupturing the ACL in his left knee.

The injury occurred when Philpott was playing for the New Zealand Sevens in Sydney in a team full of present and future stars.

They included Zinzan Brooke, John Kirwan, John Schuster and Frano Botica.

Then despite breaking his arm playing for club side Canterbury just nine weeks out from the 1991 Rugby World Cup, Philpott was named in John Hart's All Blacks squad.

As many rugby fans pointed out online following the tragic news, Philpott was no superstar - but his desire to improve made him a fan favourite.

'Philpott, or Rita as he was known, belongs to a group of men who have produced standards and aura which are the envy of the sporting world,' respected rugby  journalist Wynne Gray wrote previously.

'We can all think of players we would not have chosen for the All Blacks, fringe contenders, bit-part internationals, those who lucked in through a variety of circumstance.

'His work for the All Blacks may have totalled less than an hour but he had reached the pinnacle of his sport.'

NZ Rugby has confirmed the news of Philpott's death, stating their 'thoughts were with his family.'

Philpott's passing comes little more than a week after former Highlander Connor Garden-Bachop also died following a medical event in Christchurch.