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The Vakatawa verdict on first game back after ending his retirement
Virimi Vakatawa has given his reaction after playing his first match on Friday night since coming out of retirement. It was September 2022 when the France midfielder announced that he had to retire from playing with immediate effect.
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It emerged that the 32-cap Test centre had been banned from playing by the Ligue Nationale de Rugby’s medical committee due to a cardiac issue but after being sidelined for 11 months, he returned to playing at the age of 31 when lining out for Pat Lam’s Barbarians versus Samoa in Brive.
The Baa-Baas lost 14-28 to the Samoans, who are just weeks out from starting their Rugby World Cup campaign with a September 16 clash with Chile in Bordeaux, but Vakatawa was chuffed to get through 55 minutes as a starter in his midfield partnership with Curtis Rona, the former Wallabies centre.
Despite understandably looking a bit off the pace physically following his year out, Vakatawa reportedly showed a couple of nice touches and was given a standing ovation by the Stade Amedee-Domenech when called ashore with the score reading 0-18 with 25 minutes remaining.
Asked how he felt his comeback appearance has gone, Vakatawa told rugbyrama.fr: “Yes, everything went well, thank God. Obviously, we only had a week of preparation while Samoa have been training together for a long time, so it was a bit tough, especially on defence. But overall, I’m happy.”
Vakatawa a rejoué au rugby. Et il s’est fait plaisir 🙏pic.twitter.com/nv7w1nTY7R
— Clément Mazella (@ClementMazella) August 18, 2023
Vakatawa has previously played for the Barbarians in their June 2022 Twickenham win over England when the invitational side was coached by Fabien Galthie, the France national team boss.
It was Bristol director of rugby Lam who was in charge of the Barbarians on this occasion and he was said to be very satisfied with how Vakatawa’s comeback had gone, adding that he wouldn’t rule out seeing the player again another day.
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Having finished up last year with Racing and France, Vakatawa is now a free agent and it will be intriguing to see if he seeks out a professional contract on the back of this return to play with the Barbarians.
Comments on RugbyPass
Unfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
35 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to comments