Sawt Falasteen - Heart attack ends iconic French prop Atonio's career

The 35-year-old New Zealand-born star had been a pivotal figure for France, under coach Fabien Galthie, winning two Six Nations titles, including the Grand Slam in 2022.

He was still part of Galthie's plans having been named in his initial squad last week for France's upcoming defence of their Six Nations crown.

"Atonio was admitted to La Rochelle hospital yesterday with a suspected cardiac problem," read the statement from the Top 14 club, where he has been since 2011.

"The medical exams confirmed it was a heart attack. He is stable but he will remain, under surveillance, in intensive care.

"At the end of his stay in hospital, Uini has to undergo a long period of convalescence.

"It is clear he cannot pursue his career as a player."

Atonio, who was capped 68 times by France and won two Champions Cup trophies with his club, had pulled out of La Rochelle's match with Clermont on Sunday after suffering chest pain during the warm-up.

The veteran, whose contract with La Rochelle ran to 2027, had only returned to the side in December, having suffered a hamstring injury.

However, last season he had shown little sign of wear and tear playing all five games in the triumphant Six Nations campaign and 27, including 23 as a starter, for his club.

It was not always plain sailing for Atonio in his career. First capped in 2014 under Philippe Saint-Andre for a 40-15 whipping of Fiji, he failed to make the squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in a team then coached by Jacques Brunel.

However, he flourished under Galthie, who replaced Brunel following that World Cup, becoming the undisputed first choice prop after the 2020 Autumn Nations Cup.

"In Blue, just as in the La Rochelle jersey, Uini Atonio has been -- and will remain -- a great prop in the broadest sense of the term," the National Rugby League (LNR) on Wednesday said in a statement.

"In his stature, his humility and his sunny disposition."

Atonio is the latest high profile France-based player forced to retire owing to heart problems.

Fiji-born France international centre Virimi Vakatawa had to call a halt to his 31-cap career in September 2022, aged 30 -- though he was controversially signed by Prem side Bristol Bears in June 2023.

He played his final match in June 2024 for the Barbarians against Fiji.

Kevin Gourdon, Atonio's teammate both at club and international level, also had to retire in December 2021 aged just 31 when a heart problem was detected.

H.Jarrar--SF-PST