Students and staff at a prestigious and proud sporting school in Wellington are mourning the sudden loss of their much-loved and respected First XV rugby coach. 

St Patrick’s College —the country’s oldest Catholic boys school— reopened its doors just days into the school holidays after news of the death of popular rugby coach Willie Leota. 

The 46-year-old has had a long affiliation with St Pat’s, having been a proud old boy of the college before going on to help the school’s sporting staff with his involvement in rugby. 

Newstalk ZB's Matt Buck, who worked closely with Leota as part of the school’s rugby staff, joined Adam Cooper to pay tribute to Leota. 

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