Taranaki and Highlanders fullback Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens has undergone emergency surgery after fracturing one of his neck vertebrae during their win against Tasman on Sunday in the Ranfurly Shield.
Taranaki released a statement today saying on his return to New Plymouth, X-rays revealed the extent of the injury was a fracture of one of his neck vertebrae and would require urgent treatment.
They say doctors at Taranaki Base Hospital assessed him and he underwent emergency surgery on Monday evening to stabilise his neck.
Taranaki says he is scheduled for further surgery tomorrow.
Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens will miss the rest of the 2024 Bunnings NPC season.
Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, 23, was injured at the end of the first half against Tasman after taking a high ball and copping a shot from Mako lock Antonio Shalfoon as he landed.
He went off the field for an HIA, which he passed, and returned in the second half, even scoring a try.
However, he was then replaced with halfback Adam Lennox finishing the game on the right wing.
The severity of Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens’ injury also puts his Super Rugby Pacific campaign in doubt next year.
[Source: Stuff.co]
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