French rugby player Uini Atonio, a towering prop, has been forced to retire following a cardiac event that required hospitalization and intensive care. The 35-year-old, who was born in New Zealand and qualified to play for France through residency, made 68 appearances for his adoptive country. His career highlights include winning the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2022 and being selected for the 2015 and 2023 World Cup squads. Atonio's retirement comes after a season in which he played six times, with his last appearance against Harlequins in the Champions Cup on January 18th. His super-sized frame, standing at 6ft 4in and weighing over 26st as a teenager, was both a strength and a challenge. While it made him a formidable tight-head prop, it was initially seen as a weakness in his native New Zealand, where doubts about his endurance and mobility led to him working as a landscaper. Atonio's career took a turn when he was convinced to move to France by Patrice Collazo, then coach of La Rochelle, who recognized his potential. This move proved successful, as the slower, power-based style of French rugby suited Atonio, and he helped La Rochelle rise to the Top 14. He was a key player in the team that won the Champions Cup in 2022 and 2023, and his international career was marked by his residency-based qualification for France, making his debut in 2014. Atonio's retirement is a significant loss for French rugby, leaving a void in the pack that he helped dominate for many years.
