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Scott Robertson's tribute to Joeli Vidiri after ex-teammate's death
Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has offered his condolences to the family of Joeli Vidiri after it was announced on Friday that the former All Blacks wing passed away at the age of 48.
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Vidiri’s death, which was confirmed while the Crusaders defeated the Highlanders 34-19 in Dunedin, came less than 24 hours after the news that another ex-All Blacks wing, Va’ainga Tuigamala, also died at the age of 52.
Tributes have since flowed for both players throughout the rugby fraternity, with Robertson offering his sympathies following his side’s Super Rugby Pacific win at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Although they never took to the field together at test level, Robertson and Vidiri were All Blacks teammates in 1998, with both players part of New Zealand’s Tri-Nations squad that year.
They also faced each other numerous times at Super Rugby and NPC level between 1995 and 2001, with Robertson turning out for the Crusaders, Canterbury and Bay of Plenty, while Vidiri played for the Blues, Counties Manukau and Auckland.
Visibly shocked when informed of Vidiri’s passing after the Crusaders match, Robertson told media that he wasn’t aware of the Fijian-born star’s passing.
Robertson added that the pair had roomed together while on All Blacks duty and expressed sadness at the loss of both Vidiri and Tuigamala on the same day.
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“I didn’t [know]. Him and Inga. That’s sort of taken me back a bit,” Robertson said.
“I’ve played with Joeli, with the All Blacks, and we roomed a couple of times so I got to know him on that front. That’s sad. Condolences to his family. Two good men have been taken.”
New Zealand Rugby [NZR] issued a statement on Saturday saying it was mourning the death of Viridi, who played two tests for the All Blacks against England and the Wallabies in 1998.
He also played seven tests for Fiji between 1994 and 1995, won two Super Rugby titles with the Blues in 1996 and 1997, and was a 1998 Commonwealth Games gold medallist with the All Blacks Sevens in Kuala Lumpur.
“The last 24 hours have been incredibly difficult with the loss of two men who have such standing in rugby and in their communities,” NZR chief executive Mark Robinson said.
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“Joeli was a pioneer for Fijian rugby and set the platform for the many Fijian stars who have followed him.
“Together with Jonah Lomu at Counties Manukau, they formed one of the most formidable partnerships we’ve seen, and his performances for the Blues helped put Super Rugby on the map.
“Tonight’s Super Rugby Pacific match will carry added significance as we honour the contributions of both Inga and Joeli to our game. The entire rugby community sends its aroha and thoughts to the families of Joeli and Inga.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Not sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
24 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
1 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
24 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
24 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to comments