Australian rugby devastated as Bondi Beach attack sees ‘absolute legend’ killed

Peter Meagher, known as ‘Marzo’, was a beloved Randwick Rugby Club icon and first grade team manager, who was tragically among the victims of this weekend’s terror attack at Bondi Beach

The Australian rugby community is in deep shock following the tragic loss of an “absolute legend” in Sunday’s terror attack at Bondi Beach. The horrific incident, which targeted Jewish attendees at a Hanukkah event, has claimed 15 lives and left 27 people hospitalised, six of whom are critically ill.

Among the victims was Peter Meagher, affectionately known as ‘Marzo’, a stalwart of Randwick Rugby Club. Tributes have been flooding in from across the rugby world for this much-loved figure.

Meagher, the grandson of Wallabies international and Hall of Fame member Wally Meagher, had been a key part of Randwick since 2018, serving as the first-grade team manager. He was also a “highly-respected” referee in the Sydney area, dedicating “countless hours” to the club and the sport.

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A former police officer, Meagher’s commitment to the club earned him the Volunteer of the Year award five years ago. His father, Ron, had also served as Randwick’s president.

In his retirement, Meagher had taken up amateur photography and was reportedly on assignment at Bondi when the shooting occurred. The news has left the rugby community reeling, as they mourn the loss of one of their own.

Local media have named the attackers as Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed, 24. Akram senior died at the scene, while his son is critically ill in hospital.

Randwick Rugby Club have expressed their deep sorrow over the loss of a club icon in a statement, saying: “‘Marzo’ as he was universally known, was a much-loved figure and absolute legend in our club, with decades of voluntary involvement, he was one of the heart and soul figures of Randwick Rugby.

“For much of the last decade, Marzo has been our trusted First Grade Manager, and this news has already hit our players, coaches, managers, volunteers and supporters extremely hard. Prior to that, he was also a highly respected long-term referee who was well known and respected in Sydney Rugby circles.”

The club extended its “deepest condolences to his wife Virginia, his brothers Greg, David, Andrew and Paul, their extended families and mountain of friends across Randwick Rugby, NSW Police, Sydney Rugby Referees and our local community,” the statement continued. “We obviously extend our deepest sympathy to all the other victims, their families and loved ones, and those people traumatised by this barbaric act.

“We also sincerely thank and are in awe of all the first responders for their bravery and professionalism in dealing with such a dangerous and challenging situation to care for those in need. Rest in Peace ‘Marzo’ – we all love you and will miss you greatly. We are devastated.”

Rugby Australia, NSW Rugby Union and the NSW Waratahs also released a joint statement, honouring Meagher as a “beloved member” of his club. “Rugby Australia, NSW Rugby Union and the Waratahs join Randwick and the entire rugby community in mourning Peter Meagher, who lost his life during Sunday’s Bondi terror attack,” the statement read.

“Peter was a beloved member of the Galloping Greens, dedicating countless hours as first grade team manager and a volunteer referee, and followed in the footsteps of his father Ron and grandfather Wally, a Wallabies Hall of Famer, in serving the club.

“We extend our sincere condolences to Peter’s family, friends and clubmates as well as all the victims of Sunday’s tragedy,” the statement continued.

“We also thank our first responders, emergency services and everyday citizens for their selfless heroism in the face of terror. Rest In Peace, Marzo.”