Tributes are flowing after the shock deaths of former Queensland Reds stars Stephen Tait and David Logan.
The rugby community was left devastated when it was revealed that the two men — who were great mates — were killed while on their annual Boxing Day fishing trip.
Eleven people were on board the large motorboat when a vicious storm hit and the boat overturned south of Green Island, Moreton Bay.
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Eight people were retrieved from the water but the rugby community was stunned to learn that two out of the three men who died were Tait and Logan.
Logan was 69 years old and Tait was 59.
Former Wallaby Dick Cocks captain-coached Logan in the 1970s.
“Dave was one of the best guys you could ever know. It’s a great loss,” Cocks said.
“He could be very serious about his footy but he had a great sense of fun.”
Another former Wallaby David L’Estrange said Logan was a driven star when first came onto the scene at Brothers.
“Dave was always so full of fun, life and positivity. We’d do extra sprints and kicking practice at training in the old days because of his drive to be the best player he could be,” L’Estrange said.
“Off the field, he loved to pull tricks or do the best impersonation you could imagine of our old coach Jim Kenny, complete with a rolled-up match program banging it into his hand.”
Tait played 14 times for Queensland and was a key player in Souths’ drought-breaking premiership in 1986.
“It’s amazing how ‘Taity’ and ‘Mario’ could both be gone so suddenly together. They were two of the nicest people. It’s hard to believe,” Dan Crowley — who played in a Queensland team alongside Tait — said.
“Both had the same laidback manner and no one had a bad word about them.”
Friends and fans also reacted to the news.
“Taity was a mate and an absolute ripper bloke who was still carving up 20 year old guys on the TRL fields every Monday night including just last week. An absolute tragedy – thoughts with the families and all involved. RIP mate,” one friend said on Facebook.
While another said: “Mario Logan was a great St Columbans old boy who was a gentleman of my old School. His Joie de Vivre and his genuine presence were creditable. I hope the Rugby community continues to throw up more humans like him!”
And another: “So incredibly sad … there are no words to describe the pain all involved would be experiencing. David “Mario” Logan was an exceptional teacher at Nudgee College and human. Their passing’s will leave a huge hole in the community. Love and strength to their families. May they Rest In Peace.”
