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#Post#: 148771--------------------------------------------------
France prop Atonio retires after 'cardiac event'
DIR By: Rugbycat
Date: January 28, 2026, 4:41 am
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HTML https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cp3zp0d9gevo
Mike Peter
BBC Sport journalist
Published
1 hour ago
France prop Uini Atonio has been forced to retire after he was
admitted to an intensive care unit following a "cardiac event".
The 35-year-old was taken to a hospital in La Rochelle on
Tuesday with his club saying he suffered a suspected heart
problem, and is now in a stable condition.
"Following his hospitalisation, Uini will have to undergo a long
period of recovery," said French Top 14 side La Rochelle, his
team since 2011.
Atonio, who was born in New Zealand, qualified to play for
France through residency and made 68 appearances for his
adoptive country.
During his career the giant prop won the Six Nations Grand Slam
in 2022 and was selected for their World Cup squads in 2015 and
2023.
He started all five games as France regained the Six Nations in
2025, and was selected in their provisional squad for this
year's tournament.
However, he was withdrawn from the squad earlier this week. It
is unclear whether that was for sporting or medical reasons.
Having been spotted at a rugby 10s tournament in Hong Kong,
Atonio signed for La Rochelle for the 2011-12 season and
remained with the club for his entire career.
He helped his side win promotion to the Top 14 in 2014, and was
part of a squad that reached three successive Champions Cup
finals between 2021 and 2023, winning the title in the latter
two years.
Atonio played six times this season, with his first appearance
coming in early December and the last against Harlequins in the
Champions Cup on 18 January.
'A formidable tight-head' - analysis
By
Mike Henson
BBC Sport rugby union news reporter
On the pitch, Uini Atonio's super-strength was his super-sized
frame. As a teenager, the 6ft 4in prop weighed more than 26st -
a formidable tight-head foundation on which to build a
set-piece.
Yet, in his native New Zealand, that heft was initially seen as
a weakness. Doubts about Atonio's endurance and mobility meant
that despite a promising junior career that saw him captain
Wesley College - Jonah Lomu's alma mater - and represent
provincial side Counties Manukau at age-grade level, he started
working as a landscaper and seemed to be slipping out of rugby.
The former Gloucester prop Patrice Collazo, in charge of then
second-tier La Rochelle, spotted some wasted potential and
convinced a 21-year-old Atonio to travel to the other side of
the world in an attempt to revive his career.
It worked superbly. The slower, more power-based style of French
rugby suited Atonio and La Rochelle soon rose to the Top 14. He
was part of a heavyweight pack that ran through Leinster in the
2022 Champions Cup final and then retained their crown by
repeating the trick a year later.
Internationally, he qualified for France on residency grounds
under the old three-year rule and made his debut in 2014. By
then his weight was down to 23st, giving him the ability to be a
regular gainline runner as well as a scrum threat.
He was a key part of the 2022 side that won a Grand Slam and
finishes his career with 68 caps to his name.
#Post#: 148775--------------------------------------------------
Re: France prop Atonio retires after 'cardiac event'
DIR By: poorfour
Date: January 28, 2026, 5:15 am
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Such a shame - but glad he's making a recovery. He'll be a big
loss to France.
#Post#: 148782--------------------------------------------------
Re: France prop Atonio retires after 'cardiac event'
DIR By: stoop2conquer
Date: January 28, 2026, 6:03 am
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A great pity. He was an awesome prop and seemed to play with a
smile on his face and respect for his opponents (even during
Quins' recent victory!). Good luck to him with his present
health issue and his future generally.
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