Sione Lauaki crashes over for a try in the All Blacks' 2008 test against England in Christchurch.

Sir Graham Henry handed Sione Lauaki his All Blacks debut. Just 12 years later he's coming to terms with the shock of his death.

The former Chiefs star, who played 17 tests for New Zealand, died in Auckland on Sunday morning, aged 35.

New Zealand Rugby said he was surrounded by family when died.

FAIRFAX NZ Former All Blacks forward Sione Lauaki was known for his bruising ball-running.

In 2012, it was revealed Lauaki was suffering from renal failure and cardiovascular problems.

READ MORE:

* Chiefs honour Lauaki with victory, silence

* England winning streak nearly scuppered

* Ireland crunch Italy in nine-try romp

* Ireland first-five 9/9 with a 'wounded duck'

* All Black Tuipulotu may seek compensation

These health issues forced him to stop playing top level rugby and he returned to New Zealand, before getting married in Rarotonga in 2014 and living there since.

FAIRFAX NZ Sione Lauaki (right) stands for the national anthems alongside All Blacks team-mates Ma'a Nonu and Neemia Tialata ahead of the 2008 test against England in Christchurch.

Having come through Kelston Boys' High School - where Henry was a headmaster - then playing NPC with Auckland, Tongan-born Lauaki shifted south, representing Waikato and playing Super Rugby for the Chiefs, then playing international footy for the Pacific Islands team in 2004, and earning a black jersey the following year.

Henry was the coach of the All Blacks at the time, and said news of Lauaki's death had come out of the blue.

"Yeah, a shock, really," he said. "I didn't know that he was struggling, and obviously he's got the same liver problem as many of those boys have. It's really sad."

Henry remembered Lauaki having plenty of x-factor on the park, though acknowledged that with such players as Rodney So'oialo and the late Jerry Collins in front of him, he was always up against stiff competition.

"He played some brilliant football for the Chiefs," Henry said.

"He was a very talented footballer. Probably didn't reach his potential at international level, because Jerry and Rodney were there.

"He's a big boy, must've been close to 120kg playing loose forward. So he was devastating at the level below international level, because he got opportunities obviously, and he didn't get so many opportunities at the top level.

"He was a popular guy with his fellow players, obviously they'd rather play with him than against him."

One man who carries those similar sentiments is former Waikato and Chiefs team-mate Roger Randle, who was able to hang out on the wing and let his big mate take care of business in the middle of the park.

Randle's final season with the Chiefs was Lauaki's first - 2004 - while the pair also linked up in the Mooloos' 2006-championship-winning campaign.

"It's just bloody sad, he was such a destructive player on the field," Randle said. "And you always felt pretty comfortable when you see the likes of him and Liam Messam are leading your forward pack.

"We all know he was a devastating ball-carrier and tackler, with his x-factor."

In 2004 Randle had snapped his Achilles, but has fond memories of Lauaki making him jump out of his seat when scoring the match-winning try against the Blues at Eden Park.

"I remember just being on my crutches and just jumping around in my moon boot around the lounge room," Randle said. "So that was a bloody good memory."

Randle remembered Lauaki fitting in very well amongst the team.

"He was quite shy when he first came. But he had a big laugh. You could hear his laugh before you even walked into the changing room, it's him laughing with either Siti [Sitiveni Sivivatu] or Liam [Messam] in the corner about something - normally making fun of Byron Kelleher."

Having known he had been "crook for a wee while", Randle said it was still "a shock" when news of Lauaki's death came through.

"It's a tough time for everyone, our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and kids. It's definitely a shock, especially at his age.

"It's just a bloody sad time. He was a bloody good man.

New Zealand Rugby CEO Steve Tew expressed his condolences to Lauaki's family.

“We are incredibly saddened by this news, as will be many who have known Sione through both his rugby and Tongan community connections.

"It is always sad to lose a member of the All Black community, but with Sione passing at such a young age it will be felt with an even greater sense of tragedy amongst his former team mates, fans, family and friends."

Lauaki and the late Jonah Lomu suffered from kidney problems. Another former All Black, Joeli Vidiri, who had a kidney transplant in 2015 after 14 years of health issues, said Lauaki had asked his advice about dealing with dialysis about three months ago.

"We have to go deeper to try to find out what is the cause," Vidiri told Newshub.

​The Chiefs, All Blacks and team-mates past and present paid tribute to the hard-running forward online on Sunday morning as news broke of his death.

The thoughts of everyone are with the family of Sione Lauaki. Sione played 17 Tests from 2005-2008. AB#1055. Gone too soon. RIP, Wax. pic.twitter.com/7dfSxqyqvy — All Blacks (@AllBlacks) February 11, 2017

Rest in peace Sione, always a Chief. pic.twitter.com/nDnRTDfrp9 — Chiefs Rugby (@ChiefsRugby) February 11, 2017

Sonny Bill Williams referenced the Dox Brothers fashion label Lauaki was involved with as he led the chorus, saying, "Damn, It's a sad day today, rest easy dox."

Dox was slang for the Tongan 'toko', which similar to the Samoan 'uso' meant brother.

Damn. It's a sad day today, rest easy dox @SioneLauaki 💔 — Sonny Bill Williams (@SonnyBWilliams) February 11, 2017

Piri Weepu was lost for words, posting in emojis only.

Another brother gone! Much love and Condolences to his family! #RILWax! 😔 https://t.co/GRXFTKK4XC — Tana Umaga (@tanaumaga) February 11, 2017

Sione lauaki.. played with but not against (thank goodness ) gone to soon wax.. rest in peace bruv @SioneLauaki 🙁 — Israel Akuhata Dagg (@izzy_dagg) February 11, 2017

Lauaki's last test match came in 2008, and he left New Zealand In 2011, linking up with French club Clermont, before shifting to rival Bayonne. But after routine checks picked up his health issues, he parted ways.

Lauaki was a controversial rugby figure after several brushes with the law before he departed for France.

In 2006, he was offered police diversion after admitting to assaulting a Hamilton security officer. Three years later he underwent an anger management course after appearing in court on a charge of wilful damage relating to an incident in an Auckland motel room. In 2010 he was fined $800 and ordered to pay his victim $500 for emotional harm after pleading guilty to assault, which led to a lucrative contract with a Japanese club being torn up.