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"Outbursts of crying": Kefu speaks for the first time since brutal home invasion

<p>Wallabies star Toutai Kefu has spoken out for the first time since a brutal home invasion that left his family in hospital. </p> <p>He spoke to reporters outside his Brisbane home, saying "I'm taking it day-by-day."</p> <p>"At times you just, you know, there's outbursts of crying."</p> <p>Toutai's wife Rachel will remain in the hospital for a further two weeks, and may never gain full use of her arms back. </p> <p>Toutai, his daughter Maddi and son Josh were also stabbed during the attack. </p> <p>The invasion took place on Monday morning, when Toutai's wife heard rustling noises that she mistook for a possum. </p> <p>When she went to investigate, she was confronted by four teenage boys, aged between 13 and 15, and the invasion quickly turned violent. </p> <p>The teenagers allegedly started to attack the family with a machete and an axe, waking up Josh. </p> <p>"He absolutely went into beast mode, you know, I had the two intruders on me and he just jumped in with no fear, and he copped a couple of hacks to his back," Toutai said.</p> <p>"It could have been certainly a different outcome if he didn't turn up, he had no thought for his own safety."</p> <p>The four teenage boys responsible for the attack have been charged with 44 offences, including grievous bodily harm and attempted murder. </p> <p>Toutai thanked the police, doctors, members of the public and the rugby union community for the flood of support since the attack. </p> <p>"I'd just like to thank everyone for keeping us in their thoughts during that time."</p> <p>He said, "As a family we're very, very grateful and thankful to have that kind of support, so we really appreciate it."</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty Images</em></p>

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15-year-old charged with attempted murder over Wallabies stabbing

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A 15-year-old boy has been charged with the attempted murder of Wallabies player Toutai Kefu, after the boy and two other armed youths allegedly robbed the star’s home.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Queensland Police believe the Kefu’s Brisbane home was being burgled when the trio were confronted by an adult family member, who had woken to noises at about 3.15am on Monday morning.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The offenders allegedly threatened the family with violence if they didn’t hand over their car keys, according to police.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“During this time, very significant injuries occurred to the family as a result of what we will allege were the actions of the offenders who had broken into the family’s home,” Detective Superintendent Tony Fleming said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kefu was allegedly stabbed in the stomach and was initially in critical condition. After undergoing hours of emergency surgery, Kefu is expected to survive.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.53846153846155px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843187/dd51b742ea83b10d04d21b32ed7fd7c1b5826267-16x9-x0y0w1920h1080.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/8342161cd1124b7c95f1efbb803c2e6d" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: 7NEWS</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to Fleming, Ketu’s wife suffered “very, very serious lacerations to her arm and I’m told her wounds are very significant”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Two of the couple’s children, aged 21 and 18, were also injured.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The adult male suffered terrible wounds to [his] arm and back and I understand one of the female children has cuts to her hand and arm,” Fleming said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Whilst the outcome is absolutely tragic and I’m appalled by the injuries this family has suffered in their own home in the middle of the night, all credit to all those people coming to the aid of each other.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Olivia Kefu, the rugby player’s other daughter, shared an update on her family’s condition on Tuesday morning.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Hey everyone! Just wanted to give a quick update. Both Josh and Dad had their surgeries yesterday and are recovering well,” she wrote.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Madi and Mum will have their operations this morning.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Thank you to everyone for all the kind messages and support, it means the absolute world to use all.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A woman who attempted to stop a car from being stolen, which police believe was used to arrive at the scene and flee, was also “shoved over”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Police said they charged one of the teenagers late on Monday afternoon with four counts of attempted murder and three counts of assault causing grievous bodily harm, as well as one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, break and enter, burglary, and deprivation of liberty.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The teen was refused bail and is expected to appear in Brisbane Children’s Court.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A second 15-year-old boy has also been taken into custody after he went to South Brisbane Hospital with injuries.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Police have also located an axe, but Fleming said a machete was also allegedly involved due to the nature of the injuries.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:178.46153846153848px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843186/5f944b014b66fa656e80db57a34d8827918c8b35.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/a8ecca71c6094bc790486cb209328a70" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Queensland Police</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Police are appealing for anyone who may have seen the stolen silver-coloured Hyundai, taken from Forest Lake, to come forward.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Members of the rugby world have since rallied around Kefu and his family, while Premier Anastacia Palaszczuk also sent the family her thoughts and prayers.</span></p>

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Wallabies legend rushed to hospital after home stabbing

<p><span>Former Wallabies star Toutai Kefu is in hospital after suffering serious injuries during an alleged home invasion at his home in Coorparoo, Brisbane on Monday morning.</span><br /><br /><span>Three members of Mr Kefu's family were also rushed to Princess Alexandra Hospital after reportedly being attacked as well.</span><br /><br /><span>Mr Kefu is the Tongan rugby union team head coach, and reportedly sustained an abdominal wound.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843145/toutai-kefu-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/6f7d17686a4d4bd29a6be533da31bdb5" /></p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em><br /><br /><span>A man in his 20s will also allegedly need to undergo medical care for lacerations to his abdomen and back, while a woman in her 40s received an arm injury.</span><br /><br /><span>A teenage girl also has a hand injury.</span><br /><br /><span>Police say the attack happened after men broke into a house on Buena Vista Avenue.</span><br /><br /><span>One man was restrained and has been taken into custody.</span><br /><br /><span>The other offenders fled the scene in a car that sped off toward Woolloongabba.</span><br /><br /><span>Two men have been taken into custody but police say they have not been charged just yet.</span><br /><br /><span>Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) has released a statement following the “shocking incident" involving Mr Kefu.</span><br /><br /><span>"Our thoughts and prayers are with Toutai and his family at this time," the QRU said.</span><br /><br /><span>"We offer our support to them and the wider Queensland rugby community who are affected by the incident."</span><br /><br /><span>Mr Kefu is a legendary sportsman in his own right, competing in 60 tests in the forwards for Australia, during his seven-year international career.</span><br /><br /><span>The 47-year-old made his debut for the Wallabies against South Africa in 1997 in Pretoria.</span><br /><br /><span>In 2001, he scored the match-winning try against the All Blacks, which gave Australia victory in the Bledisloe Cup.</span><br /><br /><span>He finished as the most capped Wallaby number eight of all time, with 58 tests.</span><br /><br /><span>He has been the head coach of the Tongan national rugby side since 2016.</span><br /><br /><span>He coached the squad through to the 2019 World Cup in Japan.</span></p>

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