Rugby teen fights spine injury

A teenage rugby player touted as a future All Black will call on his spirit and love of life to help him fight back from a crippling injury, his devastated family say.

Robert Hickland, a New Zealand under-17 fullback, broke his neck during a match playing for Feilding High School's 1st XV against Rathkeale College 1st XV in Masterton at the weekend. He was flown to Christchurch Hospital in a critical condition.

The year 13 pupil, an academic and sporting achiever, has already had two operations and his future remains uncertain - though his doctors said yesterday that he was in a serious but stable condition.

His father, Michael, and mother, Pepe, who are at his bedside at the hospital's intensive care unit, say their only son has the will and drive to fight hard to walk again.

"If anyone can make it back Robert can," Mr Hickland said. "Everything is so uncertain now and all we know is that he snapped his number four and five vertebrae.

"No one is promising he can walk again but if he can he will and if he can pick up a rugby ball again, then he is the boy who will achieve that.

"He will fight, that is for sure."

Robert was to have joined the New Zealand under-17 squad at a five-day training camp this week.

"He will miss this one but there are many more years to come. He was a great footballer, or I should say, he is a great footballer."

Robert's sister, Christine, who is holding the fort at the family home in Feilding surrounding herself with photographs of him, said her only brother, the youngest of four, was more than a star to them.

"He is our miracle. He just opens up everyone's heart and he is so awesome. He is beautiful, so beautiful."

Feilding coach Rick Francis said Robert was a rare talent.

"He was among the best backs I've seen since I've been at the school and was one of the team's shining stars as far as having that X factor goes."

Doctors hope to take Robert off life support within a week, and he will then go to the Burwood Spinal Unit to begin his recovery.