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Watch: Michael Fatialofa continues inspiring recovery from paralysis

By Online Editors
(Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

Injured rugby star Michael Fatialofa has reached another impressive milestone in his recovery from being paralysed in the English Premiership at the start of this year.

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Fatialofa is in the midst of a miraculous recovery from a severe spinal injury which left him paralysed from the neck down after suffering a C4 vertebrae fracture and spinal contusion playing for Worcester Warriors against Saracens on January 4.

Just 10 weeks later the former Auckland and Hurricanes lock was seen walking in Royal Bucks, a private hospital which has a renowned spinal unit.

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Ross Karl is joined by Bryn Hall and Brad Weber in this installment of our weekly show discussing all things New Zealand rugby.

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Ross Karl is joined by Bryn Hall and Brad Weber in this installment of our weekly show discussing all things New Zealand rugby.

After being discharged from hospital and returning home on June 7, Fatialofa has continued to make major strides in his physical rehab. The latest video update from his wife Tatiana shows just how far he has come, the 27-year-old now seen lifting weights in his back yard.

This step was seen as a particularly positive one for the couple after specialists were concerned about the future function of Michael’s arms.

Meanwhile, Worcester Warriors have vowed to “continue to go over and above what is expected” in their support of Fatialofa, who is facing medical bills of £100,000 ($NZ190,000).

Warriors are planning to stage a fund raising day for Fatialofa when Premiership matches resume to help boost a fund for the player, which currently stands at £41,000 (NZ$79,000).

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Bull Shark 3 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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