France based Fijian midfielder, Virimi Vakatawa says he did not regret leaving his family behind after arriving in France at the age of 17 to pursue his rugby dream.
Vakatawa has been banned from playing by the Ligue Nationale de Rugby’s medical committee in France after his doctors found a cardiac anomaly which required him to stop playing any contact spot.
This anomaly was detected before the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
It has been confirmed that it is not linked to rugby but was closely monitored by his medical team.
Fin de carrière pour Virimi Vakatawa😢
— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) September 6, 2022
Le joueur d'origine fidjienne aura marqué l'histoire de l'équipe du #XVdeFrance et de #France7 🇫🇷
👇https://t.co/yhq121PBeX
Rugbypass reports that while addressing the media in a press conference last night, 30 year old Vakatawa said he knows it is hard and always reminds young people that they are lucky to be in France.
Vakatawa adds that there are Fijians who will still arrive in France to play rugby and he wants to help them achieve their dream.
He expressed his gratitude to those who have stood by his side after receiving the news that his rugby career will come to an end.
Merci pour tous que tu m’apporte Lolo ❤️ https://t.co/GQaMdHqjqF
— Virimi Vakatawa (@vvakatawa) September 6, 2022
Meanwhile an emotional French national team boss, Fabien Galthie says he was touched when Vakatawa rang him to relay the news.
Galthie says Vakatawa made many children's dream come true.
He adds that when he took over the French team, the former Nasinu Secondary School flyer was a key player in their adventure and in their history.
Galthie further stated that Vakatawa is an example of what he believes we must tell our children to enjoy all their matches as if it was their last.
source : rugbypass
🙏🏾 🇫🇷✊🏿 https://t.co/I5PwTjB9nc
— Virimi Vakatawa (@vvakatawa) September 6, 2022
