A young sportsman is being mourned following his death in hospital in Auckland yesterday, after he was struck down with the flu

Former New Zealand Secondary School and under-18 rugby league representative, Zae (zay) Wallace, had been in an induced coma for four weeks.

Wallace had returned to Auckland this year following a stint with the Gold Coast Titans under-20 side.

He'd come home to play with the Northcote Tigers and had only played one game when he became ill.

New Zealand Rugby League says the 20-year-old was a "lovely and cheeky" young man, who had a great sense of humour and a great bunch of friends.

It says he was a young talent, who will be sorely missed.