Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Worcester lock Michael Fatialofa to undergo surgery on spinal cord

Michael Fatialofa is removed from the field in London in early January (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)

Worcester have announced lock Michael Fatialofa will undergo surgery after suffering a neck injury in the Gallagher Premiership match against Saracens.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 27-year-old second row was hurt while taking the ball into contact during Saturday’s 62-5 defeat at Allianz Park.

Play was held up for almost 10 minutes as he received medical attention and, having been carried from the pitch on a stretcher, he was taken by ambulance to St Mary’s Hospital in London.

He remains in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, with Warriors confirming he is awake and alert and has his family with him.

Video Spacer

The club revealed Fatialofa has some bruising and swelling on his spinal cord and will undergo surgery on Monday evening.

A statement read: “Initial scans were positive, showing no broken bones, however, he has some bruising and swelling on his spinal cord.

“He will undergo surgery this evening in order to relieve the pressure caused by the bruising and help restore function.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Nick Tait, Warriors’ club doctor, and the club’s medical team are in daily contact with Michael’s neurosurgeon.

“Michael and his wife, Tatiana, have been overwhelmed by messages and offers of support from the rugby community across the world.

“Warriors players, staff and club co-owners Colin Goldring and Jason Whittingham have also been closely involved in supporting Michael and his family.”

– Press Association

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

M
MA 4 hours ago
How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions

In regards to Mack Hansen, Tuipoloto and others who talent wasnt 'seen'..

If we look at acting, soccer and cricket as examples, Hugh Jackman, the Heminsworths in acting; Keith Urban in Nashville, Mike Hussey and various cricketers who played in UK and made the Australian team; and many soccer players playing overseas.


My opinion is that perhaps the ' 'potential' or latent talent is there, but it's just below the surface.


ANd that decision, as made by Tane Edmed, Noah, Will Skelton to go overseas is the catalyst to activate the latent and bring it to the surface.


Based on my personal experience of leaving Oz and spending 14 months o/s, I was fully away from home and all usual support systems and past memories that reminded me of the past.


Ooverseas, they weren't there. I had t o survive, I could invent myself as who I wanted, and there was no one to blame but me.


It bought me alive, focused my efforts towards what I wanted and people largely accepted me for who I was and how I turned up.


So my suggestion is to make overseas scholarships for younger players and older too so they can benefit from the value offered by overseas coaching acumen, established systems, higher intensity competition which like the pressure that turns coal into diamonds, can produce more Skeltons, Arnold's, Kellaways and the like.


After the Lion's tour say, create 20 x $10,000 scholarships for players to travel and play overseas.


Set up a HECS style arrangement if necessary to recycle these funds ongoingly.


Ooverseas travel, like parenthood or difficult life situations brings out people's physical and emotional strengths in my own experiences, let's use it in rugby.

68 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Watch: Crusades young halfback speeds to rapid Bronco time Crusades young halfback speeds to rapid Bronco time
Search