Former NRL star and NZ international player Matt Utai is in a serious condition after he was shot in the upper shoulder and leg in a brazen drive-by shooting in Sydney's south-west.
First responders were called to Macquarie St in Greenacre at about 6am on Tuesday after reports of multiple gunshots being fired by occupants of an SUV, which sped away.
Utai, aged 44, was shot twice in the leg and upper shoulder while he was getting in his car to go to work.
He was taken hospital with serious injuries, and would undergo surgery.
Police said an SUV was found shortly after the incident, on fire, and they believed both incidents to be linked.
"The fire was extinguished by Fire, and Rescue NSW, and the car was seized for forensic examination.
"Police have established crime scenes at both locations with Bankstown detectives commencing an investigation and treating both incidents as linked."
Speaking to media, Superintendent Rod Hart said a victim was found on the front lawn, and looked to be in "quite a bit of pain".
Hart called the shooting a "brazen ambush".
Police believe two men were responsible for the shooting.
"We believe, at this point in time, that it's definitely a targeted attack. There is no ongoing threat to the community," Hart said
He did not name Utai but said the victim was had no criminal record aside from some traffic violations.
"At this stage, we do believe that he may not be involved in any criminal activity.
"But, as part of this investigation and this strike force, investigators will look at who he is involved in, who his family may be involved in, and any links there may be to organised crime."
Australian media have reported Utai's son may have gang links.
Utai was born in Auckland but moved to Australia to pursue a rugby league career, playing 127 NRL games for the Bulldogs and 40 for the Tigers.
He retired in 2013.
He represented New Zealand with the Kiwis on four occasions between 2002 and 2005, all matches against Australia. He also played three times for Samoa.
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