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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Glen Williams

The most beautiful moment of the Rugby World Cup unfolded minutes after Australia's defeat to England

There are few players who have had to endure as much as Christian Lealiifano has to get back to top-level rugby.

Three years ago, the Wallaby was diagnosed with leukaemia and the thought of playing for his country at the 2019 Rugby World Cup was a million miles away.

During his treatment, Lealiifano dropped as much as 12kg in weight and suffered from iron deficiencies.

However, it is testament to the player, and the man, the manner in which he bravely overcame that terrible illness and forced his way back onto the pitch.

Lealiifano eventually plotted his way back into the Wallabies set-up before being selected for the Japan showpiece, made twice as sweet having been omitted from the squad four years ago.

It would have been a sporting fairytale for Lealiifano to have gone on to lift the Webb Ellis Cup next month, but that dream was cut short on Saturday when England dumped Australia out of the tournament.

However, just minutes after the game, a short video clip captured a moment that puts everything into perspective.

Australia's Christian Lealiifano cries as he hugs his son son Jeremih (AP)

The former Ulster man shared an emotional embrace with his son Jeremih in Oita Stadium in a visible outpouring of emotion, the culmination of a tortuous three-year journey. Not so long ago, Lealiifano was too weak to hold his own children.

While he might have lost the World Cup quarter-final, it is clear he has won a whole lot more.

It is likely to be Lealiifano's last game for Australia for a while, as he has signed to join Japanese side Toyota Shokki. With less than 60 caps, he won't be available to play for the Wallabies due to their 60-cap selection rule.

The 32-year-old had been due to make his debut in Japan before he was diagnosed with leukaemia.

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