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Warriors launch campaign as Fatialofa remains in a serious condition in hospital

By Online Editors
Michael Fatialofa

Worcester’s Michael Fatialofa remains in a serious condition in the intensive care unit of a London hospital nearly a week after suffering a neck injury during a Gallagher Premiership match at Saracens.

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The New Zealander was stretchered off the Allianz Park pitch in a neck brace and underwent surgery on Monday night to relieve pressure on his spinal cord caused by swelling.

Worcester issued a statement at the time claiming “the operation was a success and Michael is stable but remains in a serious condition and receiving ongoing care at the intensive care unit of the hospital”.

The club have now launched a support campaign for their stricken player, setting up a special email address so that supporters and well-wishers can post messages of support to Fatialofa.

“Michael and his wife, Tatiana, have been overwhelmed by messages of concern from around the world and are thankful for the support they have been given from the rugby community,” said the club. 

(Continue reading below…)

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“Warriors have also been inundated with messages from concerned supporters and have now set up the email account so that supporters can send messages to Michael and Tatiana. Messages for Michael and Tatiana should be sent to fats@warriors.co.uk.”

Fatialofa’s wife had taken to social media following his surgery, calling on people to help them with their prayers. “When the lights go out and this all fades for everyone else, our world will still be standing still & twisted upside down,” she wrote on Instagram. 

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“That’s why we ask for prayers now, knowing they will be what sustains us in the days, weeks, months and years to come when the real work begins.”

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Bull Shark 1 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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