MacDonald: Taken to hospital
Southland lock Hoani MacDonald collapsed with a suspected heart attack in his team's ITM Cup Championship division semi-final on Saturday.
The 34-year-old required vigorous CPR treatment for more than five minutes before he could be moved from the field and rushed to hospital.
Fairfax media quoted a stadium staff member as saying: "We got him back."
MacDonald, a former New Zealand Junior and New Zealand Maori representative, collapsed midway through the first half.
A Southland team spokesman said it was not known whether he collapsed during an incident on or off the ball, but spectators said MacDonald was treated for a suspected cardiac arrest after he fell clutching his chest.
"Macdonald was taken by ambulance from ECOLight Stadium to Middlemore Hospital," a New Zealand Rugby Union statement said. "He has been put in an induced coma and is stable."
In 2008, MacDonald left New Zealand to play for the Dragons in Wales before moving to Australia in 2011 to play Super Rugby for the Melbourne Rebels.
Comments
hellovanite says...
Geez... hang in there mate for a speedy recovery!
Posted 09:28 21st October 2012
melkdave says...
That is bad news indeed,any player injured is a loss.My thoughts andwishes go to his family and friends.Lets all pray he recovers quickly,and in full health.
Posted 14:38 20th October 2012
tweedledee49 says...
Hang on bro!
Get well son. God bless
Posted 14:05 20th October 2012
APV1 says...
Good grief!
Get well soon, Mac!
Posted 11:13 20th October 2012
jonesy2 says...
holy crap. hope he is ok and pulls through fine
Posted 08:46 20th October 2012