Critically ill rugby coach conscious

HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND - DECEMBER 18: Andrew Strawbridge poses during a Chiefs Super Rugby headshots session on December 18, 2013 in Hamilton, New Zealand. (Photo by Jason Oxenham/Getty Images) HB

Arrangements are now underway to have Chiefs Assistant Coach Andrew Strawbridge transferred to New Zealand.

Strawbridge remains sedated and has been deemed stable enough to travel home and is expected to be back in New Zealand by tomorrow.

Strawbridge was admitted to hospital overnight on Tuesday with an infection in his right eye which had deteriorated rapidly.

He was joining the Manu Samoa campaign as a technical advisor for Manu Samoa for the All Blacks test and was due to leave with the squad on Monday for the Pacific Nations Cup in the United States and Canada.

After Strawbridge took ill, an urgent call was put out for blood donors.

The message got through to a hotel where West Coast man Ross Wylde was enjoying a drink, One News reported.

Ross Wylde. Photo / Supplied

Medical staff were looking for donations of Type O-negative blood, which Mr Wylde has.
He immediately switched to drinking coffee and water, and was later picked up by a doctor to donate his blood.

Mr Wylde said he was a registered blood donor so had no hesitation in helping out. "Not at all, that's why we do it," he said.

Strawbridge's wife Laura and sister Susan Strawbridge have joined him in Samoa.

The family has again expressed gratitude for the care and support that has been shown to Andrew and his family from the medical team at Moto'otua Hospital, the Manu Samoa aiga and the New Zealand rugby community.

Laura Strawbridge said she was "overwhelmed by the support we are continuing to receive in both Samoa and New Zealand.

"The kindness shown to us, and the offers of support, has been incredible. We want to thank everyone for their much needed thoughts and kind wishes at this extremely difficult time."

The family has asked for privacy at this time.