INJURY always an enemy in any sports people’s journey.
But for Netani Talei, his decision of putting a stop to his rugby career have ended in a high note after representing his country in both 7s and 15s, participating in three Rugby World Cups, and playing over 200 senior club rugby games.
The former Flying Fijians captain announced that he will retire from the game following medical advice.
After 17 months out of the game and spent rehabbing and draining fluid from his knee, it was advised by a consultant that retirement is the best option for him, the Harlequins loose forward was quoted on the decision in the Planet Rugby website.
Talei was born on March 19, 1983 in Suva.
The loose forward player, who can play in the number eight or flanker, position represented the Fiji U21s in 2004.
He attended Marist Brothers High School and spent two years at Wesley College, Auckland in New Zealand.
He played for Raiwaqa before moving down to Nadroga to join the Stallions in 2006, they lifted the Colonial Cup. In the same year, he joined the Fiji team that defeated Samoa 23-20 in Suva.
A year later he was part of the team that defeated Wales to book a quarter-final clash with South Africa in the Rugby World Cup in France.
Talei moved to the UK in 2006 to play for Doncaster Knights and later joined Worcester Warriors the following season. After making 55 appearances for the West Midlands outfit, he moved north to Edinburgh for three seasons, followed by a year in Wales at Newport Gwent Dragons.Worcester Warriors signed with an option for an extension.
In March 2008 the club extended Talei’s contract and he signed a new two-year deal until 2010.
In May 2010, the livewire forward joined Edinburgh on a three-year contract.
The 33-Test player moved to Newport Gwent Dragons in 2013 for the 2013-14 season.
He was released by the Dragons in October 2014.
While commenting on his retirement, the former Harlequins thanked the club for their patience and showed his gratitude to the medical staff who had continually monitored his rehab and training.
“Now that the final whistle in my career has blown — another challenge in life arises for me in the health and fitness industry” Talei told Planet Rugby.
“I have recently started fitness boot camps and one-to-one rugby skills fitness coaching and will now dedicate my time to helping people achieve their fitness and sporting goals, which I am really passionate and excited about.
He said rugby had made him the person he was today and was grateful and would cherish every moment of it.
“Vinaka vakalevu (Thank you),” he said.
Talei joined Harlequins in January 2015, made his debut in the LV = Cup — The Anglo-Welsh Cup (Welsh: Cwpan Eingl-Gymreig), is a cross-border rugby union knock-out cup competition featuring the 12 English Premiership clubs and the four Welsh regions.
The latest sponsorship deal was with British insurance company LV — against Bath and has made eight senior appearance.
Meanwhile, in the report, Harlequins Director of Rugby John Kingston said it was always such a shame when a player’s career was taken away with injury and this was no different for Netani.
“He has had an incredibly frustrating 17 months but he has shown excellent character and determination during that period,” he said.
“I would like to thank him for the contribution he has made during his two and a half years with us and wish him all the best as he moves into the next chapter in his working life.”
