A WELSH rugby player has drowned in front of his wife while honeymooning on New Zealand's North Island.

Jeremy Phillips, 38, from Pembrokeshire, died in the sea at Maunganui Bluff on the north-west coast on Sunday.

The rugby-mad Tenby United RFC lock was Down Under to soak in the World Cup atmosphere and visit relatives.

The death is a double tragedy for the Phillips family - Mr Phillips was also visiting the country because his father died of a heart attack in New Zealand three years ago.

The couple had saved hard for the belated honeymoon and a trip of a lifetime after marrying in August 2002 - but tragedy struck on a coastline that has claimed six lives already this year.

Horrified Fiona Phillips, 33, watched as Jeremy disappeared beneath the waves after slipping from his surfboard.

She ran frantically along the coastline, alerting other holi-daymakers, when Mr Phillips's board appeared but he did not resurface.

The 6ft 4in ambulance technician was missing for four hours, sparking a massive rescue operation,before his body was washed up on the shore.

Mrs Phillips will return to Wales later this week and an inquest has been opened into the death.

The popular couple come from St Florence, where their wedding was attended by more than 200 people.

Friends and colleagues learned of the death yesterday and said, "the village is devastated".

Adam Roberts, an usher at the wedding, said, "Jeremy was a smashing guy - big in stature and big-hearted as well, and would do anything for you.

"He loved the simple things in life like walking his dogand fishing and had just bought his own fishing boat a month ago."

Mr Roberts, 18, added, "Jeremy and Fiona were a lovely couple and we are just devastated that we won't be seeing Jeremy again."

Community councillor Howell Probert said, "I knew Jeremy quite well because we used to have a drink in the pub together.

"The village is devastated. He was well liked and saved a lot of lives with his job.

"It is difficult to comprehend, for us."

Colleagues at the ambulance service in Tenby, where Mr Phillips had worked since 1991, were also shocked.

Service manager Mark Winter said, "Jeremy was a larger-than-life character who was much loved and respected by his colleagues.

"Everyone in the ambulance service is devastated at what has happened and will miss him greatly.

"He was a much valued member of staff and we will do all we can to support his wife and family."

Mr Phillips was a keenfisherman and rugby player.

The couple had been watching rugby in Sydney and went on to New Zealand to stay in a holiday cottage near the coast. They have relatives in New Zealand and Mr Phillips's father is buried there.

A family friend said, "We are not sure whether he will be brought home to Wales, or if he will be buried with his father."