French Rugby Star's Friendship Tribute After Heart Scare

When your teammate suffers a heart problem serious enough to end his career overnight, you quickly remember what sports are really about.

Uini Atonio, France's powerhouse prop, retired this week after experiencing chest pains that led to a cardiac event requiring intensive care. The 35-year-old New Zealand-born rugby star is now stable and recovering in La Rochelle.

His longtime teammate Gael Fickou didn't focus on the 68 caps, the 2022 Grand Slam, or Atonio's reputation as possibly France's greatest prop ever. Instead, he celebrated the man behind the massive 6'4", 23-stone frame.

"He's an exceptional player, but it's the man I want to pay tribute to most of all," Fickou told L'Equipe. "In a team, he's a great guy, always smiling."

Fickou had noticed something was wrong when Atonio pulled out of a match on Sunday. "I know him and found it strange. He's not the type to fake it," he said.

The friendship between the two players spans nearly a decade, from France's 2015 Rugby World Cup squad through their recent championship run. Fickou spent Tuesday afternoon looking through old photos, remembering their journey together.

"Uini has left his mark. He probably would have preferred a different ending, but that's life," Fickou said. Then came the line that puts sports in perspective: "Rugby isn't eternal, but friendship is."

Why This Inspires

Heart conditions affect 2-3% of elite athletes, according to Professor Daniel Augustine of Sports Cardiology UK. These issues often existed before athletes turned professional, but intense training brings them to the surface.

England's rugby program has screened every international player for cardiac problems since 2004. Regular follow-ups catch conditions that develop over time, potentially saving lives before catastrophic events occur.

Players like England's Nick Isiekwe have returned to international rugby after open-heart surgery, showing that early detection changes outcomes. Atonio's story ended his playing career, but the medical response likely saved his life.

Even England hooker Jamie George, who battled Atonio in countless scrums, sent love across the rivalry: "A huge competitor on the field and a great man. We're thinking of him and wishing him strength and good health."

Atonio's career is over, but Fickou promises more memories ahead.