Former player of the French national rugby team, Virimi Vakatawa, who wore the jersey 32 times, has been called up by the Fiji head coach. Nathan Hughes from Racing 92, former England flanker, has also experienced the same joy.
As a player as eccentric as he is talented, Virimi Vakatawa was forced to abruptly end his career at the age of 30 in 2022 due to a detected cardiac anomaly in 2019. The much stricter medical regulations in France prevented the Fijian-born player from returning to the field. Temporarily only. Across the Channel, the Bristol Bears signed him to relaunch his career after a year of inactivity. Following this short stint, Virimi Vakatawa once again spent a year without a club before bouncing back this season with the Fijian Drua in Super Rugby in the southern hemisphere.
A beneficial return to his roots as the national coach, Senirusi Seruvakula, announced an extended list of 50 names for the upcoming Nations Championship in July, in which Vakatawa is included. Having played 32 times for the French national team, where he scored 10 tries, and also a prominent player for the French sevens team, Virimi Vakatawa could soon wear the jersey of his country of birth. The regulation allows for it. Since he has not played with the French team for more than 36 months and is now eligible to play for Fiji, as his parents are both Fijian.
Former English and former All Black also called up with Fiji
His last appearance with the French national team dates back to July 9, 2022. Starting alongside Yoram Moefana in the center against Japan, he contributed to the 15-20 victory of the French in the land of the rising sun. Back in action this season, he participated in 7 Super Rugby matches, with the last one, this Saturday against the Highlanders of New Zealand, marking his first try with the Fijian Drua. In the national team, he will reunite with his close friend Levani Botia, with whom he grew up and played under the Barbarians’ banner in 2022.
In addition to Virimi Vakatawa, a former English international has also been called up by Senirusi Seruvakula. With 22 caps for England, Nathan Hughes also has strong chances of experiencing a resurgence with the Flying Fijians. A key player for Racing 92, the flanker has played 21 matches this season and scored 8 tries in the Top 14. In the same position, Pita-Gus Sowakula, a player for Clermont and former All Black, is also present. However, he already went through his change of allegiance last fall, notably during a Test match lost against France (34-21) on November 15 at Matmut-Atlantique in Bordeaux.
