Schwalger’s season under threat

Editor

Hurricanes prop John Schwalger may miss the entire Super Rugby season after more blood clots were found on his lungs.

Schwalger’s playing was impacted last year by the same cause, only playing six games and missing the ITM Cup with Wellington.

The 31-year-old had been on track to return this season, but after picking up the flu last month the clots returned. That means he won’t be able to play until June.

“I was looking forward to jamming with the Hurricanes and playing with Ma’a [Nonu] one last time,” Schwalger told the NZ Herald.

“It sucks, to be honest. When I found out the second time I was close to breaking down but once I saw the specialist he gave me a bit of hope which is something for me to look forward to.

“So now we’ve got to have a plan that once I do come off the medicine and I’m all good, we’ve just got to get it sorted before it ever makes its way up to my lungs.

“It sucks but you can only do so much to put yourself back on that field and I’ll do anything to get back there.”

Schwalger’s contract expires at the end of the season.