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Michael Fatialofa is out of hospital 5 months after his serious spinal injury

Michael Fatialofa suffered a C4 vertebrae fracture and spinal contusion in January.(Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

The recovery of Michael Fatialofa from a serious spinal injury has continued its inspiring progress, the Worcester Warriors player getting discharged from hospital five months after being struck down playing at Allianz Park.

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The 27-year-old New Zealander had been in hospital since January 4 after he suffered a C4 vertebrae fracture and a severe contusion of the spinal cord when appearing as a replacement during a Gallagher Premiership match at Saracens.

He spent almost three weeks in intensive care in London before being transferred to the rehab unit at the Royal Buckinghamshire hospital in Aylesbury.

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Within eleven weeks of suffering the injury, the lock was walking unaided and wife Tatiana has now posted on social media that Fatialofa is now allowed to complete his journey home to Worcester.

“My delightful husband is coming home,” she wrote on Twitter. “There are no words that suffice how grateful Michael and I are for every person who has championed us.

“He wouldn’t be coming home in this miraculous condition without your prayers, love and the support shown in various ways which will carry us through the next phase.”

Fatialofa will now continue his rehabilitation at Sixways following his discharge from the specialist spinal injuries unit.

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Ryan Kehoe, Worcester’s head of medical, told the Worcester club website: “Following a hand over from the rehabilitation team at the Royal Buckinghamshire hospital, we will look to continue to build on the amazing work they have done with Michael.

“His rehabilitation at this stage will focus on improving his general muscular strength, coordination and mobility.”

Fatialofa originally signed for Worcester in 2018 from the Hurricanes and while he was set to move on to a French club when his Warriors contract expired at the end of June, he will now stay local to the Warriors’ facilities to continue his rehabilitation.

https://twitter.com/tatianafats/status/1268600791675305988

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AM 37 minutes ago
'Freelancer' Izaia Perese shows the need for true inclusivity in Australian rugby

That's Cron's job though. Australia has had one of the most penalised scrums in international rugby for a long time. Just look at the scrum win loss percentage and scrum penalties. That is your evidence. AA has been the starter during that period. Pretty simple analysis. That Australia has had a poor scrum for a long time is hardly news. If bell and thor are not on the field they are woeful. So you are just plain wrong. They have very little time for the lions so doing the same old things that dont work is not going to get them there.


Ainsley is better than our next best tighthead options and has been playing well at scrum time for Lyon in the most competitive comp in the world. Superstar player? No. But better than the next best options. So that is a good enough guide. The scrummaging in the Prem is pretty good too so there is Sio's proof. Same analysis for him. Certainly better in both cases than Super, where the brumbies had the worst win loss and scrum pen in Super. Who plays there? Ohh yes... And the level of scrummaging in Super is well below the URC, prem and France with the SA teams out.


Nongorr is truly woeful. He's 130kg and gets shoved about. That just should not be happening at that weight for a specialist prop who has always played rugby cf pone with leauge. He has had enough time to develop at 23. You'd be better off with Pone who is at least good around the field for the moment and sending Nongorr on exchange to France or England to see if they can improve him with better coaching as happened with Skelton and Meafou. He isn't going to develop in time in super if he has it at all.


Latu is a better scrummaging hooker than BPA and Nasser. and he's the best aussie player over the ball at ruck time. McReight's super jackling percentage hasnt converted to international level but latu consistently does it at heniken level, which is similar to test level in the big games. With good coaching at La Rochelle he's much improved though still has the odd shocker. He should start the November games.

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