Kiwi teen dies after league training in Perth

Torran Thomas died in Perth on Friday. Photo / Facebook

A former Northland teenager has collapsed and later died at rugby league training in Perth.

Torran Thomas, 15, collapsed while training for the West Coast Pirates junior academy squad last Monday at Curtin Stadium and was taken to Princess Margaret Hospital but died in the early hours of Friday morning.

Australian media have reported the cause of his death has not yet been determined and will be examined by the coroner.

On Monday, the temperature in Perth reached 44.4C " the third hottest January day on record.

The mercury had dropped to about 34C around the time when the teenager was training.

The talented young player was due to fly to Sydney today with the Pirates academy squad for three games.

Team officials said the decision had been made to press ahead with the Sydney trip after a meeting between parents, team management and players.

Western Australia Rugby League chief executive John Sackson said the tour had been dubbed "Torran's Tour" by the club.

"Everyone feels they want to proceed with the tour in memory of Torran, they want to do it for him."

"It's just a very tragic situation his parents are just devastated," Mr Sackson said.

Northlanders now living in Perth had gathered to support the grieving family who moved from Whangarei to Perth about two years ago.

While living in Whangarei Torran and his family were keen waka ama paddlers and on Saturday club members from Te Puu Ao and Mitamitaga gathered at Kowharewa Bay, near Tutukaka, for a memorial service.

Following a prayer and songs a flotilla of waka were paddled out into the bay and flowers placed on the water.