Rugby fraternity shocked by player's suicide

By TONY WALL

A serious concussion in a Ranfurly Shield match last year may have been the beginning of the end for an experienced Waikato player who took his life in Australia on Monday.

Friends and family are stunned by the revelation that Ryan Wheeler, a top provincial player who dreamed of being an All Black, committed suicide in Sydney.

Sydney police confirmed yesterday that Wheeler, 27, was found dead by a family member in a courtyard at the relatives' home he had been staying at in the suburb of Belfield.

A spokesman said no one else was being sought in connection with Wheeler's death. No note was found.

Several sources said yesterday that Wheeler, son of prominent Taranaki horse trainer John Wheeler, had been disappointed when he missed out on selection for the Chiefs Super 12 team.

The utility forward had been drafted into the Chiefs as a replacement a season earlier, but never played a Super 12 game.

Other sources said it was understood he had suffered depression and had gone to Australia this year to sort out his problems while staying with family members, including his younger sister Kylie.

His mother, Lindsey Wheeler, told the Herald from Sydney yesterday that depression had not been a long-time problem for her son, "but maybe in the end it was."

She said he had received a bad concussion last October during the Ranfurly Shield game against Otago and since then had suffered headaches and was having trouble concentrating.

"He wasn't coping terribly well ... he came over here for some time out."

Mrs Wheeler said she went to Sydney about six weeks ago to support him.

"We did all we could, he had a lot of family support over here."

Her son was running, swimming and doing a lot of gym work as he prepared to return to New Zealand for club rugby and NPC games, she said.

Wheeler's death has shocked the Waikato rugby fraternity, still coming to terms with the diving death in December 1998 of Aaron Hopa, who, like Wheeler, wore the No 6 jersey.

Coach Kiwi Searancke said he spoke to Wheeler by phone about two weeks ago.

"He assured me he would be home ... he was about a fortnight away from ... getting into some club rugby and working his way back for the NPC season."

Searancke said Wheeler was a big part of his plans for the coming season, and being on the fringe of Super 12 he selection had a lot to look forward to.

He said Wheeler had never shown any signs of depression and he was stunned to learn he had taken his own life.

"It's hard to say with young guys nowadays ... they seem to live for today and if tomorrow comes, it comes ..."

Searancke said Wheeler seemed to be anxious about gaining selection, as many players were, and it was known that he was upset at not making it into the Chiefs' Super 12 squad.

Usually non-selection affected current players who were dropped, he said.

"The dangerous situations are with those who've been professionals earning money, and all of a sudden they aren't.

"We're very aware of that, and make sure support systems are in place."

Wheeler played 89 first-class matches, making his debut for Taranaki in 1993, captaining Bay of Plenty in 1997 and playing for Waikato in the past two seasons.

He also played rugby in Ireland and Italy.

In his younger days, he was a successful eventing rider.

Friends spoken to yesterday described him as an intelligent young man who enjoyed a laugh.

Away from the sporting field, Wheeler last year completed a Bachelor of Science degree and his future seemed assured.

His parents, John and Lindsey Wheeler, are successful racehorse owners at Bell Block.

John is known internationally as the trainer of some top racehorses such as Rough Habit and Poetic Prince.

Ryan Wheeler inherited his father's love for horses and racing and there was the hope that one day he would come back and take over the family business.