All Blacks head of security dies in Edinburgh ahead of Scotland match
Long-serving team official passed away after a medical event at the team hotel
Logan Cadwallader, the long-serving head of security for the New Zealand rugby team, has died following a medical event in Edinburgh ahead of the squad's upcoming fixture against Scotland.
The incident occurred on Sunday at the team's city-centre hotel, where the All Blacks have been preparing for their Nations Championship match at Murrayfield this Saturday. New Zealand Rugby confirmed the death in an official statement on Monday.
Mr Cadwallader had worked as the national team's security lead for a decade. Before joining the squad, he served in the New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking operational deployments to Bosnia, East Timor, Afghanistan, and the Solomon Islands as a member of the elite New Zealand Special Air Service Regiment (NZSAS).
All Blacks assistant coach Jason Ryan reflected on Mr Cadwallader's contribution to the squad over the past 10 years during an emotional press conference in the Scottish capital.
"I can tell you that the team is heartbroken," Ryan said. "He had a massive influence on a lot of people in the All Blacks in the last decade. Loges was our quiet hero, he was looking ahead for us and always looking out for us and our families. The country has a great soldier and we’ve lost a great team member. We love him."
All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie also paid tribute and said the squad was struggling to come to terms with the loss.
“Logan has been a big part of the All Blacks family for a long time," he said. "He was the ultimate team man, loved and trusted by all and a true professional. He looked after all of us, players and staff, and he was a good mate to many in this team. We are all devastated. Our thoughts are with his wife, Nannette, his children, Trey, Brooke and Mia, and his wider family and friends. As a team, we will honour Logan and the legacy he has left on the All Blacks.”
Steve Lancaster, the chief executive of New Zealand Rugby, offered condolences on behalf of the governing body.
“Logan was a valued and trusted member of the management group over the past decade, and he will be greatly missed by everyone who worked alongside him. On behalf of New Zealand Rugby, I extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends at this very difficult time.”