Rugby nearly killed Gators new recruit Andrew Vatuvei

The 196 centimetre, 127 kilogram flanker was 19-years-old when rugby nearly cost him his life.

Former Australian Schoolboys rep and cousin of NZ Rugby League legend Manu Vatuvei has signed on to play at the PBC Alleygators rugby club. Picture: Jerad Williams

There was no single impact Alleygators recruit Andrew Vatuvei can recall that caused his lung to collapse in the 78th minute of a Sydney reserve grade game five years ago.

It had been business as usual for the former Australian Schoolboys flanker and cousin of Warriors NRL great Manu Vatuvei until breathing got hard, then impossible.

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His life was saved by the quick thinking of an opposition doctor who ran on to the field and discovered Vatuvei’s case was more than just the battling of an unfit reserve grader.

Former Australian Schoolboys rep and cousin of NZ Rugby League legend Manu Vatuvei has signed on to play at the PBC Alleygators rugby club. Picture: Jerad Williams

“If there was no doctor I wouldn’t be here now,” Palm Beach Currumbin Rugby Club’s marquee recruit said.

“I was playing for Parramatta and it must have been just before full-time that I just couldn’t breathe.

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“There was no air going to my lung so she stuck a needle through my chest and my lung was able to breathe through that.

“I was very lucky because my pectoral muscle was able to hold from ribs from breaking, otherwise they would punctured (my lungs) and it would have been a different story.”

Australian rugby union player Andrew Vatuvei (top row, third from right) with the 2014 Australian Schoolboys. Photo supplied

The 196 centimetre, 127 kilogram flanker was 19 when rugby nearly cost him his life.

Instead of turning his back on the sport, Vatuvei’s new-found appreciation for life has thrust him even deeper.

When his former Parramatta club manager Michael Bell called with an invitation to play on the Gold Coast in 2020 Vatuvei boarded the next flight.

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“’Belly’ has watched me play since I was 16 and he’s really helped me a lot,” Vatuvei said.

“He’s shown me a lot of loyalty so when he asked me to play I thought that was my way to help him back.

“Hopefully I can bring some experience to the comp but especially to the club and help a few of those boys games’ mentally and physically.

“The position I try to be is mainly the enforcer, trying to be the older brother and protect the team.”

Australian rugby union player Andrew Vatuvei. Photo supplied