A man struggling in the surf at Coogee Beach was pulled to safety earlier this month by Wallabies hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa, who later admitted he “can barely swim.”
The incident happened in early March, while Paenga-Amosa was in town with his Super Rugby team, the Western Force, ahead of their match against the NSW Waratahs.
Footage of the rescue quickly made its way online, showing the 29-year-old dragging the man from shallow water to dry sand. The moment drew attention not just for the act itself, but for the unlikely hero—an elite rugby player with limited swimming ability.
A beach moment that turned serious
Paenga-Amosa had been at Coogee Beach when he noticed a man struggling to stay upright in the surf. The water was only knee-deep, but the swimmer appeared to be in trouble. The rugby star moved quickly and helped guide the man out of the water before lifeguards arrived.
He later said he was simply in the “right place at the right time.” Speaking after Western Force’s dominant 52–15 win over Fijian Drua on Sunday, Paenga-Amosa said he wasn’t planning to jump into action—he just happened to be near the man when help was needed. He added that he didn’t rush in from afar, saying the swimmer had drifted toward him.
Paenga-Amosa laughed when recalling the moment, saying that if the swimmer had been in deeper water, he might not have made it to him in time. He described himself as a weak swimmer and said he might have only offered a friendly wave if the situation had been worse.
Locals caught off guard, but grateful
Questions were raised about the timing of the lifeguards’ response. Paenga-Amosa joked in an interview that the lifeguards arrived just as the situation was wrapping up. He said they looked at him, he looked at them, and he told them he was doing their job for them.
Despite the light-hearted tone, his actions didn’t go unnoticed. Members of the local community and his team have praised him for stepping in without hesitation. In a beach as popular and busy as Coogee, especially during the rugby season, unexpected dangers can still emerge, even in shallow waters.
More than a rugby career
Paenga-Amosa, who made his Super Rugby debut in 2018 with the Queensland Reds, has built a strong rugby resume over the years. After a stint with French club Montpellier, where he played more than 50 matches, he returned to Australia to join the Western Force.
He has also represented the Wallabies 16 times and was part of the team that played against Wales during the autumn internationals in 2024.
Off the field, he recently spoke about how becoming a father has helped him focus and grow as a player. He said that fatherhood taught him to worry less about the small things and concentrate on what really matters, like his family and supporting his teammates.
A quiet act of courage
While Paenga-Amosa didn’t seek attention for the rescue, the moment has stuck with fans and beachgoers. It’s a reminder that help can come from anyone, and that even those who admit they aren’t strong swimmers can make a difference when someone is in trouble.
Published 25-March-2025
