Declared unfit to play rugby in France due to a heart anomaly, Virimi Vakatawa, 32 caps with the Blues, will relaunch his career abroad.
The ax fell on September 5, 2022. A progressive heart anomaly put an end to his career in France, declared unfit to play rugby. Then part of Fabien Galthié’s XV of France, Virimi Vakatawa, 32 selections on the wing then at center from 2016 to 2022, said goodbye to the 2023 World Cup. But not to rugby.
The legislation in England being more flexible, the player trained at Racing 92 – he arrived at the training center at the age of 17, in 2009 and wore the colors of the Ile-de-France club until 2022 – found a contract in September 2023 with the Bristol Bears, who play in the Premiership. Despite 18 match sheets during the 2023-2024 season, his lease was not extended.
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121 selections with France 7
Without a club since, Vakatawa, who has also honored more than 120 selections with France 7, even participating in the Rio Olympics in 2016, has just relaunched his career at the age of 33 by signing up this Thursday with the province of Fijian Drua, which plays in Super Rugby. A return to basics for someone who also has Fijian nationality.
“I am very grateful to be able, thanks to my experience, to help these young men and to share with them my experience in France and my playing career. The future of Fijian rugby rests on this team. I’ve watched them, I’ve trained with them and I know they will go far in their careers.”said Virimi Vakatawa.
