Former Canterbury and Wests Tigers winger Matt Utai was taken to hospital after being shot multiple times outside his home in Greenacre, in southwest Sydney, as he was about to drive to work on Tuesday morning.
The 2004 NRL premiership star was caught in the crossfire of his son Iziah Utai's alleged criminal associations and escalating gang conflict, detectives believe.
Police arrested a 25-year-old Marsden Park man and 15-year-old boy in Emerton on Friday night.
Both were charged with shooting with intent to murder and participating in a criminal group contributing to criminal activity.
Detective Acting Superintendent Brad Abdy told reporters on Saturday, police believe the 25-year-old man carried out the alleged shooting, while the 15-year-old had driven the getaway car.
The pair, who were known to police, were refused bail ahead of a scheduled Saturday court appearance.
Det Supt Abdy said investigations were underway into potential links to overseas crime entities.
He said the age of the youngest offender was particularly worrying.
"It's quite disgusting that criminals who are overseas are now recruiting young people in Australia and essentially consigning them to a particular lifestyle," he said.
Police believe a string of offences occurred following the initial shooting.
Shots were also fired at a home in outer western Sydney about 12.45am on Wednesday before a firebombing was carried out in Guildford West, near Parramatta, hours later.
A woman in her 50s who was inside the first home was uninjured.
All incidents were targeting the Utai family, police said.
Mr Utai had surgery after being left with serious leg wounds from the attack and has since been transferred to a different hospital where he remains in a serious condition.
An additional four people have been charged over the spate of attacks, including a 19-year-old man accused of picking up the gunman and a 16-year-old alleged to have handled the weapon.
Both face counts of being an accessory after the fact to a shooting with intent to murder.
Mr Utai starred in the 2004 NRL grand final, scoring two tries as his Bulldogs knocked off the Sydney Roosters.
His former club said it was deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the shooting.
The New Zealand and Samoa international played 167 NRL games, joining the Wests Tigers in 2011 and spending three seasons with the club.
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