MESSAGES of condolence have been pouring into Wilderspool Stadium after deaths in two players' families.

News broke on Friday night on the Guardian's thisiswarringtonwolves website that Letitia Nikau had died in her Grappenhall home 24 hours earlier.

Warrington police revealed a post mortem examination on mother-of-two Letitia, the 36-year-old wife of the Wolves' star loose forward Tawera, confirmed death was by hanging.

She had been found hanging at her Grappenhall home by a member of the family.

The day before, although the club had not let it be known at the request of Lee Briers, the Wolves stand off's brother Brian had died from cancer.

Former teammates of Tawera have been in touch with the club to leave messages of sympathy for the New Zealand Maori captain and his two children Heaven, aged 13, and Tyme, aged seven.

Tawera is going to be taking Letitia home to New Zealand for her funeral.

Tawera was due to play for the Wolves against one of his former clubs Castleford on Saturday night but he withdrew from the squad. Castleford players, on hearing the news, contacted Wilderspool chiefs on Friday night to leave their condolences to be passed on to the player known as 'T'.

On the Warrington Wolves website, supporters have posted their messages of support for families of Tawera and Lee. They were also urging the authorities to postpone Saturday's game as a mark of respect.

The game did take place, with a one-minute's silence before kick-off.

Lee, who did not train on Wednesday but reported back into the camp on Friday, was determined to play against the Tigers and made himself available for selection.

He dedicated the game to his brother, whose funeral will take place on Wednesday.

Lee, of St Helens, has been with the club since 1997 and is also a Wales international.

Tawera and his family came to Warrington at the end of 1999 after the loose forward had steered Australian club Melbourne Storm to Grand Final glory down under.

He had joined Melbourne from another Australian club Cronulla Sharks.

But the former New Zealand Test player made his name in British Rugby League. His first club was Sheffield in the 1989/90 season followed by a one-year spell at York.

It was then that Darryl Van de Velde, the Warrington coach, signed Tawera for Castleford and he spent five years with the Wheldon Road club. The Van de Velde and Nikau families became close friends.