Joeli vidiri and jonah lomu biography

  • Joeli Vidiri (23 November 1973 – 23 February 2022) was a professional rugby union footballer who played as a wing.
  • “Joeli was a pioneer for Fijian rugby and set the platform for the many Fijian stars who have followed him.
  • Born in Fiji, Joeli came to New Zealand in 1994 when he was recruited to play for Pukekohe.

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    Joeli Vidiri

    Fijian rugby union footballer (1973–2022)

    Rugby player

    Joeli Vidiri (23 November 1973 – 23 February 2022) was a professional rugby union footballer who played as a wing. Born in Fiji, he earned seven caps for the Fiji national team before switching his allegiance to New Zealand, for whom he earned two more caps.[1]

    Career

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    Vidiri studied at Queen Victoria School (Fiji).[2] He represented Fiji in both 15s and sevens before coming to New Zealand in 1994.[1] He played for the Auckland Blues in the Super 12 competition and represented Counties Manukau in the NPC. He only managed to play two tests for New Zealand in 1998.[3] In 2001 he was diagnosed with a kidney illness and placed on dialysis treatment like his fellow Auckland Blues winger Jonah Lomu.[4]

    Vidiri played in the Super 12 for the Auckland Blues from 1996 until 2001, where he scored 43 tries in 61 games, at the time an individual record.&

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    AUCKLAND, 28 FEBRUARY 2022 (NZ HERALD—Much-loved former All Black Joeli Vidiri tragically died – in his new wife’s arms – after suffering a trio of cardiac arrests while battling Covid-19 in America.

    In a heart-wrenching message to friends of the rugby hero, his wife wrote he had “fought” bravely before dying on Wednesday night.

    A former teammate and close friend also told the Herald on Sunday that Vidiri “died in the arms” of his bride.

    And players who were close to Vidiri – whose top-level rugby career was cut short by kidney disease – are now rallying to raise funds to bring his body back from the States.

    The 48-year-old’s former Super Rugby team the Blues posted with 2heavy hearts2 about his death on Friday night; with the announcement leading to an outpouring of grief on the same day as it was revealed New Zealand and Samoan rugby great Va’aiga Tuigamala had died.

    The Herald on Sunday can now reveal Vidiri –

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    Joeli Vidiri
    Date of birth 23 November 1973 (age 35)
    Place of birth Nausori, Fiji
    Height 1.90 m
    Weight 100 kg


    Joeli Vidiri (born 23 November1973 in Nausori, navosa, Fiji) is a Fijianrugby union footballer who played for the All Blacks. He plays as a wing. He is 1.90m tall and weighs 100kg.

    Vidiri studied at Queen Victoria School (Fiji). He represented Fiji in both 15s and sevens before coming to New Zealand in 1994. He played for Auckland Blues in the Super 12 competition and represented Counties Manukau in the Air New Zealand Cup competition. He only managed to play two tests for the All Blacks before he was diagnosed with kidneyillness and placed on dialysis treatment just like his fellow winger Jonah Lomu.

    In 71 provincial appearances for Counties Manukau, Vidiri scored 56 tries. He also had a song named after him. He continued playing for the Auckland Blues in the Super 12 until 2001 and in 61 games scored 43 trie

  • joeli vidiri and jonah lomu biography