The 2004 premiership-winning Canterbury winger was shot outside a home in Greenacre, in western Sydney, at around 6am on Tuesday.
Police were told a 44-year-old man was shot outside the home by people inside an SUV, before the vehicle fled.
The SUV was then found after being set on fire in Wiley Park, less than a 10-minute drive from where the shooting took place.
Utai, 44, was reportedly shot in the stomach and the leg.
He was taken to hospital in a serious condition.
Police have linked the incidents at the home and where the car was found on fire.
Fire authorities extinguished the blaze and the SUV was seized for forensic examination.
Utai starred in the 2004 NRL grand final, scoring two tries as his Bulldogs knocked off the Sydney Roosters 16-13.
The New Zealand and Samoa international played 167 NRL games, joining the Wests Tigers in 2011 and spending three seasons there.
The 2002 Dally M Rookie of the Year finished his NRL career with 85 tries.
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