"He must stop his career in France for cardiological reasons (...) A cardiac anomaly had been detected before the 2019 World Cup in Japan. This anomaly, which is not linked to rugby, was monitored but it is an evolving pathology", explained Racing 92 doctor Sylvain Blanchard at a press conference.

The announcement, the day before, of this end of career as premature as it was unexpected had the effect of a bomb.

For French rugby in general, for Racing in particular.

"It's hard for me to speak. This morning, I got up at 8 a.m. and I knew that I wouldn't be on the pitch with the others," said Vakatawa, surrounded by his president Jacky Lorenzetti, his trainer Laurent Travers and the coach of the XV of France Fabien Galthié.

"But the hardest part was yesterday: when I had to tell my teammates that I had to quit. I spent a lot of time with them on the pitch, off it... It's not easy" , he added, visibly moved.

At his side, Fabien Galthié, tremolos in his voice, recalled that Vakatawa had played his last three matches under his orders, "in the French team in Japan and against England with the Baabaas".

"Virimi has made many children dream. He was a key player in our adventure, in our history and a wonderful man. What he is currently experiencing, he can share it, he can continue to be an example and tell the children + Enjoy +. He still has a lot to share", added the boss of the Blues.

Vakatawa should also stay close to the rugby pitches.

It is in any case his wish and that of Racing.

"Racingman All My Life"

"He is a child of the club, he has been with us for eleven years. The club is not going to let him down," assured Lorenzetti, who explained that he had "almost lost a son".

"He is still there, he will be present on the edges of the pitch: instead of being an actor, he will do something else but he will remain on the edge of the pitch. His life is rugby, it's Racing 92. We will make sure to accompany him, that he always has his colors for which he gave so much", abounded Travers.

Vakatawa's last match, three-quarter center with fire support, will therefore remain a victory in Japan (20-15) with the XV of France on July 9 at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo.

A brilliant player, a shy man, Vakatawa arrived in France at the age of 17, landing in the suitcases of another Fijian winger from Racing 92 Sireli Bobo.

In total, he will have played 145 matches with Ciel et Blanc, including 38 in the European Cup, scoring 49 tries.

This brilliant player, once considered the best center in the world, also participated in the Rio Olympics with the VII of France.

His career therefore officially ended on September 5.

"Just before the 2019 World Cup in Japan, a cardiac anomaly had been detected for which he had already been the subject, for the first time, of an expertise with the cardiological referents of the NRL's medical commission. He had been then decided that he could continue to play under close medical supervision. Over the course of this supervision, his pathology evolved", explained the Racing doctor.

"This pathology is not linked to rugby. It's not the end, it's the beginning of something new."

© 2022 AFP