2023-09-28 02:30:50
His return against Samoa with the British Barbarians had foreshadowed a more regular return to competition. It’s now official. Virimi Vakatawa has found a new club, he will play under the colors of Bristol Bears until the end of the season. The former three-quarter center of the France team has been authorized to play again by the doctors of the English rugby league and will therefore be able to play high-level matches again.
Around 6:30 p.m., Virimi Vakatawa published an enigmatic photo with the words “I’m back”. 30 minutes later, the suspense was already over when the English team published a video confirming the player’s arrival. “One of the best players on the planet is coming to the Bears? », We can read in the caption of a video showing the player with his new colors.
On September 5, 2022, the former Racing 92 player was forced to end his career as a professional rugby player in France. Considered an executive of the Blues, who applied for a place in the center of the XV of France for the Rugby World Cup, Virimi Vakatawa was prey to heart problems, which had pushed the National Rugby League (LNR) to him ban playing in France.
He nevertheless returned on August 18 with the British Barbarians against Samoa during a preparation match for the World Cup in Brive. He then obtained a Fijian license to rediscover the joys of playing an official match. He then played 55 minutes, declaring at the end of the match: “Rugby is my life”. He also thanked Pat Lam, coach of these Baa-Baas, who has also been that of the Bristol Bears since 2017.
With the English team, Virimi Vakatawa will play in the Champions Cup. He will notably face Lyon OU and the South African Bulls. Before that, he will again wear the British Barbarians jersey against Munster next Saturday.
#Rugby #Virimi #Vakatawa #joins #Bristol #year #retiring #due #heart #problems