Son of All Black in hospital after rugby injury

A son of former All Black Grahame Thorne has been seriously injured in a rugby match.

David Thorne was rushed to Christchurch Hospital on Sunday after being hurt in a tackle playing for Waimea against Huia during an under-21 club match in Motueka.

The Nelson Mail newspaper today reported that the hospital said David Thorne, 20, was in a comfortable and stable condition.

He completed the match but later complained of numbness in his right arm and leg, and deteriorated.

An adventurous three-quarter and second five-eighth who played 39 matches, including 10 tests, for the All Blacks from 1967 to 1970, Grahame Thorne said medical staff had given his son a "60-40 chance" of survival

He said "it looks terrible when you see what damage there is to the head".

He said his son was lying motionless in the hospital bed with his eyes open but could not talk and was barely responding to family members.

- NZPA