Jean-Paul Taipunu becomes quadriplegic after a violent tackle during a Rugby match. This January 12, 2020 forever changed the course of his life. Nearly five years later, the case is taking its course before the courts. He was compensated by the Ferrasse Foundation but accuses his club of wanting to hold the funds from a prize pool that belong to him. Back in Polynesia for the Christmas holidays, he opens up.
Jean-Paul Taipunu is 37 years old today. Next January, he will have lived in a wheelchair for five years. “I haven't turned the page, it's hard. I was sporty. In Tahiti, I represented boxing… It's hard to be like that” he testifies.
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©Hubert Liao / Polynesia the 1st
This former soldier worked odd jobs to supplement his salary and meet the needs of his family. Despite the little time he had left, he discovered rugby and quickly took a liking to it. The Tahitian-Caledonian signs a license with the Rugby Club du Pays de Roquefort. On January 12, 2020, while playing a match with the reserve against Sainte-Livrade, Jean-Paul did not get up. He remembers this tackle of incredible violence.
It was voluntary. (…) In the game, I was the guy to hit because I broke everything. Every time they came, two or three of them would tackle me otherwise I would be a mess. He punched me, the referee also did nothing. The one who punched me was ten meters from me and I wanted to tackle him. When I ran, I started to tackle, I saw his knee clearly. I couldn't dodge because I was in the momentum. The knee hit [sur ma tête]I have broken cervicals 5 and 6 and a compressed spinal cord. (…) I felt like an electric shock went through my body. I knew I wasn't going to walk again.
Jean-Paul TaipunuPolynesia The 1st
His spinal cord injuries caused paralysis of his four limbs. At 32, at the peak of his form, the Polynesian became quadriplegic. Thanks to modern equipment in France, the thirty-year-old can gradually regain control of his life but he still feels a lot of anger.
The only place he feels at peace is with his family, alongside his children and his wife.
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©Hubert Liao / Polynesia the 1st
Sandra has been fighting for five years in court for her husband. Shortly after the accident, the former rugby player received 10,000 euros (or around 1.2 million francs) from the Ferrasse Foundation, placed under the aegis of the French Rugby Federation, which helps those seriously injured in rugby .
At the same time, a lychee pot is set up, the clubs of France form a solidarity chain and send checks to the address of the Roquefort club. But financial conflicts begin: Jean-Paul's club refuses to pay him this money directly and demands proof of expenses.
We won a first step in court. And there, the second stage, there are quite a few things: the player has not yet been convicted. Neither does the club. They simply want to cover up the affair and I won't give them the chance. I have all the proof. There was racism, because I am a Traveler, and my husband is Tahitian.
Sandra Taipunu, wife of Jean-PaulPolynesia The 1st
Sandra is pregnant when the accident occurs, before her eyes. She regrets the lack of support from Jean-Paul's comrades and his club. The case is now continuing.
For the holidays, the family came to find comfort in Tahiti, despite the lack of facilities for people in wheelchairs. “It's been sixteen since I've been home, it's good to come back. I went to see my grandparents“book Jean-Paul. The opportunity also for his children to discover their fenua. With a whole suitcase of medicines, Jean-Paul should be able to last until January 27, the date of their return to Bordeaux.
