A knee injury in 2021 might have ended Joe Vuna’s career. But the 24-year-old National Rugby League player is pushing forward with the help of faith and family.
Vuna, who plays for the Gold Coast Titans based in Queensland, Australia, is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And while his knee injury recovery was difficult, he found strength through praying, attending church, studying the scriptures and attending the temple, the Church’s Pacific Newsroom recently reported.
“In my career with this type of injury, most players would tend to give up or lose faith in playing again,” Vuna said. “Time away from the game I love affected me mentally, so I was always looking for ways to find comfort through my Heavenly Father. ...
“My faith has grown from this experience because it’s taught me a lot about patience. Doing all the basics, I was expecting to see blessings straight away, but being patient and having faith that Heavenly Father will bless at the right time has uplifted me and my faith during this trial.”
Growing up, Vuna dreamed of playing in the National Rugby League and of serving a mission, the Church’s Pacific Newsroom reported.
The first dream came true when he played with the New Zealand Warriors for a season. But he put rugby aside after that to serve a mission.
“The sacrifice seemed so big to me at the time, to leave the New Zealand Warriors for my mission, but it is such a small sacrifice compared to what Jesus Christ has done for me,” Vuna said.
He served in the Australia Melbourne Mission, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he was reassigned and finished his missionary service in the New Zealand Hamilton Mission.
His goals after returning home in 2020 were to play in the National Rugby League again and to get married.
“But I think Heavenly Father humbled me with my injury and changed my goals the other way around. So, I got married first before playing in the NRL again,” Vuna said.
He and his wife, Hine, were married during the COVID-19 pandemic and sealed soon afterwards in the Brisbane Australia Temple, all while Vuna was recovering from his injury.
“My wife has been my greatest support during this period,” Vuna said. “If I had to go through this experience alone, it would have been ten times harder for me. I have been blessed having her there to help through the challenges.”
Vuna’s faith and perseverance have paid off. Now playing for the Titans, he recently had his first top grade game against the Melbourne Storm. Friends and family members turned out for his first rugby match in just under two years.
“Many scriptures have helped me during my recovery,” Vuna added. “With the ‘Come, Follow Me’ scripture study for Sunday school, my wife and I learn from the experiences of those in the scriptures. Everything they’ve been through during their time — and their faith in overcoming trials — has given me strength to stay focused on my journey.”
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