It would appear that New Zealand rugby player Robbie Fruean has finally lost his long-running battle with his health and been forced into a reluctant retirement.
The Sunday Times has reported that the 29-year-old Kiwi, currently plying his trade for Edinburgh in the Pro14 competition, may have been “forced into retirement”.
The paper said the former Hurricanes, Crusaders and Chiefs player had suffered further complications to a delicate heart condition that had seen him undergo two open-heart surgeries and two further cardiac procedures.
The blockbusting midfielder has had two heart valve replacement procedures (one from a pig, and the second from a cow) and only joined the Edinburgh club after what was described as the most comprehensive medical in the club’s history evaluating his condition.