From the warm-up before the match against Clermont on Sunday, Uini Atonio “understood that something was wrong”. Forfeited, the pillar of La Rochelle suffered a heart attack on Tuesday. Placed in intensive care, the French XV rugby player was forced to suddenly end his brilliant career. In the column he wrote for the Irish Examiner, Ronan O’Gara gave his account of the accident, while providing some news about his player.
“Other interventions are planned for next week. We are not out of the woods yet,” explained the La Rochelle coach. The technician believes that Atonio had already “played against Harlequins in extremely difficult conditions” on January 18.
“Nobody had their impact”
“He told me that day that he didn’t feel like he had recovered from the Leinster game a week before. When I think he played Harlequins, it gives me chills. What if he had played against Clermont? “, asks O’Gara. The latter visited the 35-year-old in hospital. A memorable moment: “Being there, looking at this imposing man, seeing him connected to electronic devices on a hospital bed, is an image that will remain etched in my memory. »
“ROG” took the opportunity to share all the good things he thought of his protégé. “Every time he stopped at a rest stop after a game, he would pay the kids for the box of Pringles, the sandwich and everything else. At the restaurant, he paid their bill, he wrote. I don’t know anyone, in any club in the world, who has had the impact and influence of Atonio at La Rochelle. »
His mind seems constantly occupied by the state of Rochelais. “We are all skeptical,” he revealed. No matter the result against Lyon, at least I can go to the hospital to see him and complain. That’s enough for me for now. We all think of him. »
