Monday’s Rugby News just wants to give you a big bear hug.
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RIP Dan Vickerman
Wallaby Dan Vickerman passed away over the weekend. He was 37.
Capped 63 times for the Wallabies, Vickerman retired in 2011 after suffering persistent knee injuries.
Since retirement, he had been working in the real estate industry. He had also remained in rugby via his work with the players’ association.
“The rugby world is in shock today after news of the tragic passing of Dan Vickerman,” Bill Pulver said to the media yesterday.
“Dan was an uncompromising competitor who forged a wonderful international rugby career despite a number of injury setbacks along the way.
“He was an enforcer on the field and a much-loved character off the field. He cared deeply about the game and the players, helping players transition into life after rugby in his role with RUPA following his retirement.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Dan’s family at this extremely difficult time.”
Born in Cape Town, Vickerman first came to Australia in his late teens. He scored his first gig playing for the Brumbies, making his debut in 2001.
Two seasons and 20 caps later, the 6ft 8 lock moved onto the Waratahs, where he saw out his club playing career (bar a one-season stint at Northampton).
He is survived by wife and two children.
Lifeline – 13 11 14 – lifeline.com.au
MensLine Australia – 1300 78 99 78 – mensline.org.au
No one needs to face their problems alone. Help is available.
Goes to show that things may not be as they seem on the surface or social media.. check in & ask #RUOK u never know u might just save a life
— Quade Cooper (@QuadeCooper) February 19, 2017
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Tributes For The Big Man
Waking up to sad news about Dan Vickerman this morning. Always enjoyed playing against him. A real competitor and a great guy. — Victor Matfield (@VictorMatfield) February 19, 2017
Vicks was somebody everyone loved playing alongside. Learnt so much from him. Thinking of his family and team mates. Rest in peace mate. — Stephen Moore (@stevemoore83) February 19, 2017
I had my arm around you for most of our playing days brother. No words can express the sadness #beatpeacenowmate #RIPbigV A post shared by Nathan Sharpe (@nathansharpe) on
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It Gets Better
Christian Leali’ifano’s leukaemia has gone into remission, the Brumbies co-captain has happily announced. It comes only 100 days after receiving a bone marrow transplant, and six months after receiving his diagnosis.
“The bone marrow transplant was a big success in Melbourne. The blood cells in my body are now 100 per cent my sister’s blood cells, so in theory that should show that I’m in remission,” Leali’ifano told the ABC, “I’m taking it day by day, and if I get a chance to run around with the team again, that’s an extra bonus.”
Leali’ifano has been told by his docs that he can return to Canberra – he’s been receiving treatment in his hometown, Melbourne – with the flyhalf adding “He’s [Leali’ifano’s specialist] pretty optimistic with how it’s all gone.”
It should also be let known that the Melbourne Rebels also supported Leali’ifano all their support, as did North Melbourne, during his stay in Victoria, offering him use of their facilities and paying him hospital visits, with James Hanson even taking him out to the Australian Open. [/one_half][one_half last=”yes”]
More Tributes
“We all have huge admiration for the guy that he was,” Phil Waugh told rugby.com.au. “He was one of those players when you’re standing next to him in the change room and he’s running out next to you, you had so much confidence. He’s a guy that necessarily wasn’t the loudest in the team, but had the most respect from everyone playing with him. There’s so many positive memories of him on and off the field.
“He was an uncompromising competitor. Nothing came easy to him and he worked hard for what he got out of the game. He was a very good friend of mine and we caught up frequently and it’s a huge loss to all of us.”
“He spoke from the heart and he spoke straight,” Lote Tuqiri told the SMH. “He was very well-mannered off the field. He had that white-line fever but off the field he was lovely.
“He was a big man with a soft heart and he was always easy to talk to. You’d sit next to him and have a good chat. He was very easy going and an absolute gentleman. I had a lot of good times with him on and off the field. It’s very sad and it has hit home because he’s the same age as me. I’m just shattered.”
Matt Burke: “Very abrasive as a player but a good bloke, though. Great lad, great tourist, a very good player who came across from South Africa as a young bloke, played Waratahs, played Brumbies, played Wallabies. He could really play and was just one of the good lads that you enjoyed his company.”
“He was just one of those great characters, you could always count on Vicks saying something really dry with his humour because that’s the sort of guy he was. He’ll be sorely missed,” Jeremy Paul told Fox Sports.
“He was just so tenacious, he was one of the biggest competitors. On the field he was just such an angry guy. As a teammate that’s what you wanted, someone who would go into the trenches with you.”
“(Former Wallabies coach) Eddie (Jones) used to ride him, God he used to give it to big Dan, but Dan took it on and he turned into a Wallaby and a great Wallaby, and a great Brumby and a great Waratah.”
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