Napier rugby player fights for his life

John Taitoko

A rugby player is fighting for his life after collapsing during a game at the weekend.

Napier Old Boys' Marist senior thirds player John Taitoko, 28, was playing Dannevirke club Aotea at Park Island when he collapsed during the first half.

Fiona Carson, of Dannevirke, was watching her husband play for the first time when Mr Taitoko keeled over.

"About 30 minutes had gone and all of a sudden people were running all over the field."

She said CPR was performed on Mr Taitoko and that he was breathing when he was put into the ambulance.

"The whole thing was not very nice," Mrs Carson said.

"It was a huge sigh of relief to everyone when we were told he was still breathing."

Referee Hans Seitzinger called the match off and both teams shared the competition points.

The front rower has been in the intensive care unit since arriving at Hawke's Bay Hospital on Saturday.

He was in a critical condition last night, a spokesman said.

Mr Taitoko has been part of Napier Old Boys' Marist for the past 12 years and was described as a very loyal member.

He and his partner have an 8-month-old son.

In another incident, a junior Dannevirke rugby player suffered concussion during an under-11 game at Coronation Park.

He was now at home and in a "good condition", said Bevan Ellison, the chairman of the JAB rugby.

"The boy took a knock to the back of the head during the game and appeared to have suffered concussion so the St John ambulance team were called to the park," Mr Ellison said.

"After the St John personnel checked the boy out the Palmerston North Rescue helicopter was called to transport the boy to hospital simply as a precaution."

Although the incident has been described as "distressing" for the boy's mother, who was taking part in the Tough Guy and Gal challenge at Linton army camp on Saturday, Mr Ellison said the accident had occurred purely in general play.

"It does happen," he said. "The right procedures and precautions were taken."

The boy was checked out and then discharged from Palmerston North Hospital.