Blues star remarkably gets finger amputated to continue ‘living his dream’

Blues prop Marcel Renata has made the ultimate sacrifice of getting his finger amputated to continue playing the game – a decision he is delighted with.

Renata’s finger issues began during last year’s Super Rugby Pacific where he suffered a dislocation and after attempts to put it back in place, it became clear there was a bigger problem.

Big decision

The 29-year-old went under the knife in an attempt to fix the issue that way but the odds were low and he felt “the writing was on the wall” for his finger.

The pain was not only influencing his performance levels but also impacting daily life, making the decision to amputate easier.

“It was in bits really, from footy,” Renata told Stuff. “I did most things with my left hand before I had the last surgery. I’m kinda ambidextrous at the moment.”

The first surgery (pre-amputation) was for “peace of mind”, he says. “I had to have a crack to save it before we whacked it off. But the writing was on the wall, as there was like a 20% chance it was going to work.

“I managed to make it through the NPC season, and shoutout to Auckland for putting up with me as I was playing with one hand,” he added.

“I made it through to November, but by that time I was ready to whop it off. It was a pretty easy decision. I couldn’t even manage cooking or the dishes. I was a seven out of 10 pain most days, and turned pretty grumpy. Mum and dad noticed I’d changed.

“I stopped enjoying the game and I stopped enjoying training because I was so sore. I was on painkillers, and I didn’t want to live like that.”

“I would have been like that for the rest of my life, which would have been an inconvenience, stuck with the middle finger straight. I decided to whack it off because it was more practical.”

Marcel Renata has taken a sharp turn in his life recently.. he finally reveals the full story after months of speculation. pic.twitter.com/OsmLPMpBcc

— The Blues (@BluesRugbyTeam) February 12, 2024

“Stoked” to be playing

The change came with a lot of adjustments for the prop but he is grateful to be playing rugby again and “living his dream” with the Blues.

“I’m just stoked to be able to still play footy,” he says. “It took a little while to adjust, mostly the small motor skills, like writing, knives and forks, and sanitising pumps. I think that finger catches quite a bit of liquid, so I have to do the old double pump.

“The human body is amazing. I’ve adapted pretty well. Being a prop my main concern was my bind, but these two fingers here (he points to the pair alongside his stub) manage to do most of the work.

“I remember my first few weeks running around, I just felt like a new man really. Mum and dad noticed the change in my character.

“I’m living my dream, playing here for the Blues. I’m just super grateful that I’m able to continue doing that.”

Super Rugby Pacific gets underway next weekend with the Blues facing Fijian Drua in their opener.

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