Tributes pour in for rugby star Jonathan Beeton

Jonathan Beeton, the UAE rugby and Dubai Exiles centre who was critically injured in a boat accident, died peacefully at the age of 27 in the city\'s Rashid Hospital Wednesday. His wife of just eight months, 23-year-old Tammy, said on social networking site Facebook: \"Jon passed peacefully at 6am. I will love you forever! Rest in peace. You will forever be in my heart. Xxx\" One of the UAE\'s star players, Beeton spent his final weeks brain dead and in a coma after suffering head injuries following a fall from a boat at a friend\'s birthday party on June 17. Derrick Murray, Beeton\'s best man at his recent wedding, said: \"It\'s been a long fight for him these past few weeks, we didn\'t want it to end this way but we\'re just glad the suffering is over and he\'s finally at peace. \"His family can finally get closure and begin to deal with it. It had to end, we\'re just sad it ended this way.\" Nathalie Jongma, a close friend of Tammy\'s, added: \"Jon was always looked up to. He had a successful career and an amazing rugby record. He was an outstanding personality. This is a tragedy for his friends and family. It not only shows what sort of man Jon was from the fundraising efforts that were made, but also the condolences that have been offered by all.\" Details of his funeral have yet to be announced but it is believed a cremation ceremony will be held in the UAE with his ashes to be later scattered in his native South Africa. Message The player\'s passing comes just a day after the Japanese national rugby team posted a message on youtube.com via coach John Kirwan, which said: \"We just wanted to show our respects and reach out by saying we are all here supporting and praying for Jon. We played him a few weeks ago and he had a really good game against us. He was the type of player who likes going in hard and fighting.\" Kirwan added: \"During this sad time we just wanted you to know the Japanese team\'s thoughts and prayers are with you.\" The UAE\'s match against Japan in the Asian Five Nations, which ended in an 111-0 defeat at the Sevens Stadium on May 13, became renowned for Beeton\'s star moment when he single-handedly spearheaded the UAE\'s only attacking move of the game, falling just inches short of the try line. Beeton, affectionately named ‘Studente\' for his youthful appearance, had continually forced his teammates to watch the feat on repeat and in slow motion as it represented a David and Goliath display of rugby against the Asian giants in a World Cup year. Having only just become eligible to represent the UAE, as a Dubai resident for four years, Beeton wasn\'t part of the previous Arabian Gulf set-up. He had become a ruling force in the Dubai Exiles squad, picking up last season\'s club player-of-the-year award. His performances warranted an international call-up as the UAE made their debut following the AGRFU\'s break-up in January. Mike Cox-Hill, captain of both Exiles and the UAE said in a statement: \"Jon was a regular first team player for Exiles since 2007 and he established a quick reputation as a hard running, evasive and stoic opponent. He was selected by the UAE national side in the 2011 Asian Five Nations and became one of only a handful of players to complete every minute of every game in that campaign. \"Jon was known to many for his humility, kindness, courtesy and competitive nature and he will be sorely missed not only by all his teammates at Dubai Exiles and UAE Rugby but also by clubs and players who have met Jon as an opponent and friend in recent seasons.\" A site engineer originally from Durban, Beeton leaves behind wife Tammy, brother Warren, sister Nicole, mother Lynne and father Harry.