The rugby fraternity in Samoa and abroad are mourning the sudden passing of former Manu Samoa manager, Va'aelua Aloi Alesana. 

The former rugby official and manager passed away on Wednesday afternoon at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital at Moto'otua. 

Va'aelua – who was the former Head Boy of the St. Joseph's College – was known by many not only as a former manager for Manu Samoa but also from the Talanoa Lakapi program which aired on TV1. 

Condolences from the community within Samoa and abroad have flooded social media platforms since the news of his passing was made public.

Players and officials who worked with him have been paying tribute to his service to Samoa. 

Local television station TV1 also paid tribute to Va'aelua on its official Facebook page saying: "Rest now, rest well, in the arms of the angels, our dearest beloved brother Vaaelua Aloi Junior Alesana. There will not be another like you. We love you."

Visceta Meredith wrote: "I so wanted this to be your biggest joke Aloi Alesana. And that tomorrow you'll just wake up and tease everyone about it. We miss miss miss you so much already."

Another fan of Va'aelua, John Malaeolevavau Peterson wrote: "This guy is hilarious, witty and intelligent and it's shocking to learn of his sudden passing.

"On TV1 Talanoa Lakapi, Aloi shared his knowledge of rugby, cracked jokes and gave audiences so much fun along with the panel which included the late great 'Inga the Winger' Fesola'i Va'aiga Tuigamala (RIP) and the 'Chiropractor' and Manu Samoa Seven's coach Muli'agatele Brian Limā hosted by Tologataua Sioeli Alofaifo."

Areta Jr Areta, a former photojournalist with the Samoa Observer and second-year theological college student said he was still in shock.

"Still in shock, hearing the news of your passing my dearest friend. My heart still think that this is just a bad dream. May you rest in peace and love Aloi Alesana, until that glorious day. You will always be in my heart."

A veteran journalist for the Radio Samoa, Seumanu Francis Ioane who is also a former student of St. Joseph's College in Apia, took a trip down memory lane, remembering his first encounter with Va'aelua when he was the head boy of the all-boys college. 

"I can never forget my first day as a freshman at St Joseph's College in Alafua," Seumanu wrote on social media. "It was a scary moment to enter a totally different environment from the comfort of Marist Brothers School in Mulivai. 

"The boys were a lot older and I've heard some scary stories before entering the gates of SJC in 1995.

"Long story short, this is where I encountered Mr Va'aelua Aloi Alesana as he was the head Boy then. His Deputy was none other than Mr. Laupepa Maiava. Mr Aleki Toleafoa was also teaching at the time.

"I can still remember the look Aloi gave me when we walked past each other on those famous SJC stairs.

"To make my fears worse, I learnt that he was the grandson of the late former PM of Samoa, afioga ile Tootooalii, Tofilau Eti Alesana. Us newbies were so scared at the time especially me.

"Fast forward to 20 years later, I learnt that Aloi is not as scary as he pretended to be back then.The man he became was not the same young man I met 20 plus years ago.

"He became a great role model to many with his healthy lifestyle and fitness routine as witnessed by many.

"If Sumeo was still with us they would've made a great tag team with all their pepelos. I was shocked like many when I heard the sad news yesterday." 

"Many will miss you uso but your spirit, smile and laughter will live on forever."

He is survived by his wife Petrina Alesan and two sons.