Tipene was captain of the Akarana Falcons Under 17s team which won this year's National Championship and a member of the New Zealand Under 17s Merit team.
He had previously earned selection in the Kiwis Under 15s merit side in 2012, and last year's Under 16s side.
His death came as a shock to his former coach, Jeff Whittaker, who is in camp in Whangarei with the Kiwis Under 16s team preparing for today's clash against Samoa Under 16s, which is the curtain raiser to the Kiwis Four Nations test against Samoa at Toll Stadium.
"We were just told in the early hours of this morning. He was a part of our squad last year and basically it's like losing a son really," Whittaker said.
"He was just a kid with a great attitude. He led the mana, he led our haka last year, he was just a great young kid. He came from a background where it was pretty hard and he just set himself some goals and he was going to achieve in life."
Promising league player Luke Tipene. Photo / Instagram
A memorial page has been set up in Tipene's honour.
Whittaker spoke glowingly about Tipene's character and said he was a role model for many of the current national Under 16s players.
"He was always the first boy when we were at our elite camps to get up and take the dishes away and he just wore they jersey last year with that much pride and he was just an outstanding young kid. He was what our New Zealand 15's legacy was all about. He was on a pathway to go on and make it all the way through.
"If anything needed to be done, whether it be on a football field or not, if someone had to make an extra tackle or had to take the ball up, Luke would always put his hand up."
News of his death had hit Whittaker's team hard but they would aim to put in a proud performance today to honour his memory.
"Some of these boys are just 15 or 16 so it is a hard time for them. They just about all knew him. We've had a talk to the boys and just told them what Luke was about, what his character is about, what the New Zealand Under 16s meant to him and we are just hoping they will take that out today.
"They are the next group down so they've looked up to Luke as one of the older boys coming through so it is quite a sad time when it is meant to be there most exciting time."
"We're just going to have to monitor it a bit and if they need some help we'll make sure they get some. The boys have still got a job to do now and they will be playing for Luke today."
Tipene had strong family connections in Northland and that was evident when the Kiwis Under 16s played last year's corresponding match in Whangarei.
"He had a lot of pride about himself and his family and where he comes from. A lot of culture, he was from up here so with us coming here last year it meant a lot to him to lead the team and lead the haka with his family coming from here."
Whittaker remembered a good-hearted individual with a keen sense of humour.
"Everyone knew him, he made everyone feel welcome and it didn't matter where they came from he would just open his arms and his heart up to everybody.
"He always had a smile and he always liked to play a little bit of fun with you and or a little bit of a prank, so he had that character in him too. He kept you on your toes but it was all joyful and fun.
"At every tournament I went to he was always the first to greet you and wanted to see how you were."
A minute's silence will be held before both of today's games.
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