New Zealand Rugby
Macdonald 'stable' after collapsing
ESPN Staff
October 20, 2012
Southland's Hoani Macdonald is stretchered from the field, Counties Manukau v Southland, ITM Cup, ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe, New Zealand, October 20, 2012
Hoani Macdonald is strechered from the field © Getty Images
Enlarge
Related Links
Players/Officials: Hoani MacDonald
Tournaments/Tours: ITM Cup | ITM Cup

Former Melbourne Rebels and Newport Gwent Dragons lock Hoani Macdonald is in a "stable" condition after collapsing during an ITM Championship match in New Zealand.

Macdonald is currently in an induced coma after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest midway through the first-half, according to reports in the New Zealand press. Local television pictures showed the lock sinking to his knees and then receiving treatment from medical staff.

The New Zealand Rugby Union will now work alongside Rugby Southland and their chief executive Brian Hopley to "support Hoani's family and his team mates", according to a NZRU statement.

The statement continues: "Arrangements are being made for Hoani's fiance, their two young children and his mother to fly from Invercargill to Auckland to be with him. The Southland team manager will remain in Auckland with Hoani."

Macdonald has previously turned out for the Highlanders in Super Rugby and then the Dragons in the Celtic league. He then joined the Rebels for their debut season in Super Rugby before returning home to New Zealand in 2012. He has also turned out for the New Zealand Maori side and the Junior All Blacks.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices