Fruean to call time on career

Cape Town - It would appear that New Zealand's Robbie Fruean has finally lost his long-running battle with his health and been forced into a reluctant retirement.

The UK's Sunday Times website has reported that the 29-year-old Kiwi, currently plying his trade for Edinburgh in the PRO14 competition, looks like he has 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.

It is understood Fruean had received specialist advice that the impact on his second replacement heart valve was such that it required him to stop playing.

The Wellington-born player had joined Edinburgh last June following an injury-disrupted stint with Bath in the English Premiership.

His last appearance for the club was in October against Zebre.