AB star's new baby battling heart condition

Mils Muliaina faces a massive test of his professionalism and mental toughness as his new baby son Max battles his heart condition back in New Zealand while the All Blacks fullback gets ready to tackle the Irish.

Muliaina was putting on a brave face when he fronted the international media in the weekly players' conference here overnight.

But there was clear concern in his voice as he explained that Max had gone back into hospital.

Baby Max has a hole in the heart that will require surgery – probably about the time the All Blacks Grand Slam tour finishes at the end of the month.

"He's been back in hospital. He has to go back in for a check-up twice a week. He's not doing too bad I suppose," said Muliaina.

"It's hard not to think about it when there's just my wife back home trying to look after him and stuff like that.

"But we had a decent discussion about it before I came over. The basic scenario is to wait for his operation. We thought it best for me to come over and play some rugby."

Muliaina said he was keeping in constant contact with his wife Hayley although the time differences obviously made that difficult, especially with the All Blacks stepping up their training this week in anticipation of a tough test against Ireland at Croke Park.

"She's looking forward to a holiday when I get back. The timing will be just right so I'll be doing a lot of work when I get back there," said the 28-year-old who will be playing his 66th test.

Muliaina stayed in New Zealand for the birth and then missed the first two test of the tour as the reality of his son's complications hit home.

Muliaina got a bit of a chance to take his mid off things in the afternoon when the players had a round of golf at the course belonging to their hotel

When the talk switched to rugby, there was noticeable lift in Muliaina's voice as he focused on the job in front of him.

"I'm pretty excited about it. I think it's going to be a tough test. They have been a real threat to us the last three times we have played them.  So this is a massive challenge at Croke Park. But you get that when you come over and play them here."

The All Blacks management have emphasised the important role of Muliaina who they see as a big match player.

He is looking forward to picking up his combination with his fellow Waikato and Chiefs winger Sitiveni Sivivatu as well as Joe Rokocoko.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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dianne macdonald   #21   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

hi there,not good news,Mils,and Hayley,baby Max,get well soon,mum and dad keep strong.He's a little cute guy.all the best dianne.auckland.

Heath Ronald   #20   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

It's very hard to be away from your young family at anytime, worse when they are taken to hospital. I was working in Argentina last year when my 3mth old boy went into hospital, by the time I got home all was well. Again this year working in Malaysia, my house in Philippines was damaged by typhoon, nothing I could do! Time to move home to NZ!

My thoughts are with you Mils

MaT   #19   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Nobody is in the position to tell Mills to go home, he and his wife have both agreed what he should do. Maybe its more about keeping busy then "a game of rugby" - like many people have said its very curable so possibly the best thing for Mills to do would be to keep busy. Anyone else would surely go to work, Mills is doing the same thing!

Mike Smith   #18   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Milsy, mate. Go home dude. You will have more chances to play for the All Blacks next year. Your real family needs you now. Little Max will pull through, but he & your missus need you to lean on. Best wishes for you & yours.

Andrew   #17   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

I totally agree with your comment Matt. Family first at all costs. Best wishes out to you Mils and your family.

Mel Williams   #16   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Good work captain Kirk you know how to cut and paste! Sitivini all round game makes him better than any of the other winger who missed out!

Kirk   #15   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

I too am looking forward to watching NZ best back 3 in action, a backline full of attacking weapons!, Zzz sivi shouldnt be there, hes nil

Gino   #14   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Best of luck to Max, fingers crossed for you all.

sam   #13   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Presumably he and his wife have discussed this fully and made quite a hard decision that he should go on the tour. I can't imagine it would be an easy decision to make.

Ella42   #12   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Each to their own Matt. If there was something Mils culd be actively doing other than supporting his wife, fair call about staying home. But the baby doesn't know anything and Hayley will have the support of friends and family to help her through. The operative word is game - it is not a Sunday match at the village green; this is his career, it is what he does for a living. It is just unfortunate it has taken him out of the country when there would be no doubt he'd rather be home. But he will not be the first and certainly not the last father to continue working while a child faces a dificult time health-wise. One thing I am sure of, if the doctors believed there was a serious risk that his baby could die, I doubt he would have gone anywhere.

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