Fijian Drua sign France international back Vakatawa / Photo: Thibault SOUNY - AFP
-
Oil surges, stocks fall as Trump says to blockade Strait of Hormuz
-
Rivers departing as Bucks coach after disappointing season
-
Raptors top Nets, grab No. 5 seed on last day of NBA regular season
-
Greece's ancient sites get climate-change checkup
-
Lost film of French cinema pioneer retrieved from US attic
-
Rory-peat at Masters has McIlroy hungry for more majors
-
Liverpool seek 'special' Anfield night to salvage troubled season
-
Pope Leo XIV heads to Algeria, first stop of African tour
-
Europe reacts to Hungarian leader Orban's electoral defeat
-
Rose frustrated by latest Masters near-miss
-
Scheffler left ruing slow start after Masters record bid falls short
-
Runoff looms as Fujimori leads troubled Peru vote
-
Spain's Sanchez seeks closer China ties amid strains with US
-
Karol G to dance her 'Tropicoqueta' at Coachella
-
McIlroy wins second Masters in a row for sixth major title
-
Orban loses Hungary vote to pro-Europe newcomer after 16 yrs in power
-
Lebanon PM says working to get Israeli troop withdrawal
-
Easter truce between Ukraine and Russia ends
-
Villarreal add to Athletic misery, Oviedo survival hopes boosted
-
Peter Magyar: former govt insider promising system change
-
Inter close in on Serie A title after comeback triumph at Como
-
Exit stage right: Hungary's Orban 16-year rule draws to an end
-
Rose fights for Masters win with McIlroy, Young in hunt
-
Orban concedes 'painful' defeat to conservative Magyar in Hungary polls
-
Garcia warned after Masters meltdown
-
Delays mar vote as crisis-hit Peru picks ninth president in decade
-
Irish government announces tax cuts after fuel cost protests
-
Salt and Kohli in the runs as Bengaluru beat Mumbai in IPL
-
Rosenior admits Chelsea in 'difficult place'
-
Man City must respect Arsenal in title showdown: Guardiola
-
McIlroy begins Masters final round as repeat drama looms
-
Sinner sinks Alcaraz to win Monte Carlo Masters, returns to No.1
-
Stuttgart hammer Hamburg to go third in Bundesliga
-
De Zerbi suffers debut defeat as Spurs crisis deepens, City rampant
-
Delays mar voting as crisis-hit Peru picks ninth president in decade
-
Man City rout Chelsea to close gap on leaders Arsenal
-
Lille ease back into third in Ligue 1 with Toulouse win
-
After unsuccessful US-Iran talks, what next for Trump?
-
Galactic 'Super Mario' rules N. America box office for second week
-
Koch pips Vos to win Paris-Roubaix Femmes
-
Trump orders US Navy to block Hormuz Strait after Iran talks fail
-
Spurs win would 'change everything': De Zerbi
-
Holders Bordeaux-Begles see off Toulouse to reach Champions Cup semis
-
De Zerbi suffers debut defeat as Spurs crisis deepens
-
Sinner beats Alcaraz to win Monte Carlo Masters, returns to No.1
-
'No other way': Mideast prepares for more fighting as talks fail
-
Napoli draw at Parma gives Inter chance to put one hand on Serie A title
-
At US-Iran talks, Pakistan's field marshal takes centre stage
-
Spurs rue bad luck as relegation fears deepen
-
Napoli's title defence dented by draw at Parma
Fijian Drua sign France international back Vakatawa
French international back Virimi Vakatawa signed for the Fijian Drua on Friday, despite being forced to retire more than three years ago due to a heart problem.
The 33-year-old was forced to quit Top 14 side Racing 92 in September 2022 due to his heart problem, although the following year he controversially joined Bristol Bears in the English Prem for one season.
The news comes in the same week that France international prop Uini Atonio was forced to retire at the age of 35 after suffering a heart attack.
Vakatawa, who won 32 caps for France as a centre or wing, trained with the Super Rugby side Drua last year, also playing in the Fijian domestic league.
Born in New Zealand -- like Atonio -- but brought up in his parents' homeland Fiji, Vakatawa also played Sevens for France.
"I'm so thankful that, with my experience, I can help these young men, and share with them my experience from France and my playing career," Vakatawa said in a statement announcing his arrival on the Drua website.
"I know the future of Fiji rugby is in this squad, and I've watched them, I've trained with them, and I know that they will go further in their career."
Vakatawa was named Europe's top player in 2020.
His signing comes after the Drua lost several star names to France's Top 14 and the Japanese league.
The Drua finished 10th out of 11 teams in Super Rugby last season. Their best finish since joining the competition in 2022 was seventh in both 2023 and 2024, after which they lost in the quarter-finals both times to the eventual champions -- the Crusaders and then the Blues.
F.Pedersen--AMWN