The former Tonga international rugby player Sione Vaiomo'unga is recovering well after receiving an emergency kidney transplant in Romania, the Pacific Rugby Players Welfare organisation says.
Sione Vaiomo'unga carries the ball for Tonga in the 2011 Rugby World Cup Photo: Photosport
Vaiomo'unga played for Tonga at the 2011 Rugby World Cup before securing a club contract to play in Romania in 2014.
It was there that he was diagnosed with kidney disease and remained in the country for dialysis treatment not available in Tonga.
The New Zealand Herald reported that his story went viral and led to more than $US 42,000 being raised by the organisation through crowd funding for the tranplant procedure.
In a tweet on Friday morning NZ time, Pacific Rugby Players Welfare said the former Ikale Tahi player had succesfuly undergone the tranplant operation.
UPDATE: SIONE VAIOMOUNGA TRANSPLANT SUCCESS!
— PacificRugbyWelfare (@pacificwelfare) April 12, 2018
We are blessed to deliver news that Tongan player Sione Vaiomounga was the grateful recipient of a new Kidney after a transplant operation today. Sione is recovering well & wishes to thank everyone who had faith this day would arrive. pic.twitter.com/Wvxd3E04rd
