After having adjustments to his implanted heart valve, Chiefs midfielder Robbie Fruean feels fit and raring to play for his new super rugby franchise.
The 2007 IRB Under-19 player of the year always seemed destined to be an All Black.
Fruean led New Zealand to under-19 world championship honours and then he suffered a bout of rheumatic fever that damaged his heart.
He returned to rugby two years after open-heart surgery to replace a valve and in 2010 moved to the Crusaders.
At the start of last season he found himself exhausted at the end of every run and it was revealed that he needed a second operation; the surgeon this time deciding a larger valve was needed to cope with the demands of top level rugby on Fruean’s body.
The Chiefs liked what they heard from the medical experts and felt they could make Fruean a better player and get a much needed big man in midfield.
They signed Fruean who was in the Crusaders wider training group this year.
Backed by a bigger heart valve, Fruean said he cannot wait to play.
The Chiefs meet the Crusaders this Friday at 6.35pm.
Story by: Filipe Naikaso
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