Setefano Cakaunivalu talks recovery after post-match heart attack as NTRU introduce AEDs to all venues
A Darwin rugby icon and former Fijian international suffered a heart attack post-match earlier this season, now he’s spoken on his recovery and the need for every club to have an AED machine.
Northern Territory
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Northern Territory rugby icon Setefano Cakaunivalu collapsed after suffering a cardiac event on the walk back to his club house after a game of rugby.
Two months on he’s well on the road to recovery, but he still has no recollection of what happened on January 24.
The 46-year-old former Fijian international player and coach had been playing in the A-Grade competition for his NT club South Darwin against Casuarina at the Skyring Rugby Park.
After the match he and his teammates were making the short walk back to their Warren Park club house when he collapsed.
Fortunately, the South Darwin community, including president Tauraa Exham, were on hand to perform lifesaving CPR before emergency services arrived.
“I can’t really recall what happened that day, I’ve just heard what was said after,” Cakaunivalu said.
“We just finished the game and were on the way to the clubhouse, I was with my younger daughter and a few club mates and that’s the end of it.
“They saw what happened and I was really lucky that a few of our club reps were able to help with CPR, but I can’t remember anything else.”
He was taken to the Royal Darwin Hospital in a critical condition and the rugby community rallied behind him, raising more than $18k through GoFundMe to support his family.
Cakaunivalu is continuing a strict diet, but a return to the game he’s put so much of his life into still remains out of his mind as he ensures his body is in the right place.
He will have been watching fondly as the Rabbitohs found their way into both the A-Grade and B-Grade grand finals, particularly as his son Dan Cakaunivalu won the competition’s Rising Star award.
“I’m feeling better from two months ago, recovery has been going really well with a few strict diets and medication is helping,” he said.
“Returning to the field is not in my mind at the moment, I’m still thinking about recovery and a few other issues in front of me.
“I was lucky enough, I want to thank all the team members and our club president who were around that night.
“Without them I would not be standing here at the moment, it was fortunate some good people were around to step in and give their time for me.”
The absence of a nearby AED during the event raised awareness for the need for life-saving devices at sporting facilities.
The NTRU, working with St John NT, has since given each club an AED to support the community in case future occurrences take place.
“AED really helps a lot, with the help of CPR we really need an AED as well to support the community and players on the field,” Cakaunivalu said.
“Anything can happen, but with the support of this sort of equipment it helps before medical staff are able to arrive, I would encourage any sporting club to have one.
“It’s a good move to have AEDs at each club; we don’t know what could happen and to have these to support the community and rugby players is really important.”
NTRU caretaker chief executive Matt Kaye said the sporting body had mandated defibrillators be available at every rugby club across the NT.
“Through the St John NT Heart Grant, we acquired eight AED kits and training for members across the Territory, which are headed to clubs in Darwin, Alice Springs and Katherine,” he said.
“We have now seen first-hand that these tools and skills are invaluable to the safety of our players, staff, and spectators, and through this partnership with St John NT we will ensure that every rugby venue is equipped to respond effectively to cardiac emergencies.”
St John NT chief executive Andrew Tombs commended the extraordinary job done by the South Darwin Rugby Club to save Cakaunivalu’s life.
“We’re grateful to have the opportunity to support the rugby community in their AED acquisition and are committed to working alongside them in future to further enhance their emergency preparedness,” Mr Tombs said.
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Originally published as Setefano Cakaunivalu talks recovery after post-match heart attack as NTRU introduce AEDs to all venues
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