Joeli Vidiri facts for kids
| Full name | Joeli Vidiri Natabua Nadriubalavu Nalewavada | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 23 November 1973 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Nausori, Fiji | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of death | 23 February 2022 (aged 48) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of death | United States | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 190 cm (6 ft 3 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 100 kg (220 lb; 15 st 10 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Queen Victoria School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Joeli Vidiri (born 23 November 1973 – died 23 February 2022) was a famous rugby player. He came from Fiji and also played for the All Blacks. Joeli was known for playing as a wing, a position on the side of the field.
Rugby Career
Joeli Vidiri went to Queen Victoria School (Fiji) in Fiji. He played rugby for Fiji in both the 15-player and seven-player versions of the game. In 1994, he moved to New Zealand.
He joined the Auckland Blues team in the Super 12 competition. He also played for Counties Manukau in the NPC. Joeli played two games for the All Blacks in 1998.
In 2001, Joeli found out he had a serious kidney illness. This meant he needed special medical treatment called dialysis. Another famous Blues player, Jonah Lomu, also had a similar kidney problem.
Playing for the Blues
Joeli played for the Auckland Blues in the Super 12 from 1996 to 2001. He scored 43 tries in 61 games, which was a record at the time. A try is like a touchdown in rugby.
In 2000, Joeli set a record by scoring four tries in one game against the Bulls. This record was later broken in 2021. Blues fans even had a song for him called Give Me Hope Joeli. It was very popular at their home games at Eden Park.
His kidney illness affected his playing in 2001. He only played five Super 12 games that year. In 2000, Joeli also played for the Barbarian F.C. team against the Leicester Tigers.
Provincial Rugby
For his provincial team, Counties, Joeli played 71 games. He scored 56 tries for them. After playing two early games for Auckland in 2001, he had to stop playing rugby due to his health.
Life After Rugby
After his rugby career ended early, Joeli continued to face health challenges. He had been waiting for a kidney transplant for many years. He worked in a town called Pukekohe.
Joeli Vidiri passed away on 23 February 2022, in the United States. He was 48 years old. His death was due to health complications. Many people in the rugby world shared their sadness and memories of him.
