Hoani MacDonald suffers heart attack during semi final

Not sure if anyone saw this but ex Jun AB and NZ Maori player Hoani MacDonald suffered a heart attack while playing for Southland against Counties in the ITM Cup Championship semi final. Apparently no one knew what was wrong so the game played on and Southland scored while he was down receiving treatment, luckily the medical staff were able to revive him. He's currently in an induced coma at hospital while he recovers.

Here's hoping for a full recovery, Hoani.

For the record Counties won the match. I'll post a link later

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/7843433/Hoani-MacDonald-in-induced-coma

Poor bloke, best to him

Get well soon Hoani. Us Dragons supporters still have a bit of a soft spot for him. Couldn't believe it when I saw it on our forum this morning.

Best wishes for a full recovery, Hoani.

Here's hoping for a full recovery and he's home with his loved ones soon

Another ex dragons player Rhys Thomas also had a heart attack in training recently and was forced to retire, and had a similar thing happen while at the dragons apparently. Also, Lloyd Burns was forced to retire after 1 season in pro rugby at the Dragons after suffering a damaged Aorta (in the heart). Coincidence??? Something they do to them at the dragons?

Sad news. I hope he recovers fully.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Sad news. I hope he recovers fully.

+1 Best wishes

Griff wrote:Another ex dragons player Rhys Thomas also had a heart attack in training recently and was forced to retire, and had a similar thing happen while at the dragons apparently. Also, Lloyd Burns was forced to retire after 1 season in pro rugby at the Dragons after suffering a damaged Aorta (in the heart). Coincidence??? Something they do to them at the dragons?

It's a coincidence probably, but I do hear of issues with mixing caffeine with supplements.

Could be that or weekend warrior syndrome (don't know how fit these ex-pros are now days)

Really hope it works out similar to Fabrice Muamba in that the only thing that needs to be discussed by his family is that he should now retire. If that's the outcome, it'll be a happy one. Wish him a full recovery.

It's events like this that make any athlete consider there career seriously.

Hope he makes a full recovery and the right choice for his health after.

Risca Rev wrote:Get well soon Hoani. Us Dragons supporters still have a bit of a soft spot for him. Couldn't believe it when I saw it on our forum this morning.

+ 1

Us Highlanders supporters have a soft spot for Hoani too.
Kia Kaha Bro.

Some good news, he's woken up in hospital.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/7844177/Southland-star-rugby-player-wakes-from-coma

Great news indeed Kiwi.

Thanks for the update.

LATEST

“Hoani remains in the Cornary Care Ward of Middlemore Hospital in Auckland in a stable condition.
He has made further gradual improvements today with the support of his family and the staff at Middlemore."

More - HERE

May he make a full recovery

Some more good news on his recovery:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/7868864/Surgery-and-implant-for-Hoani-Macdonald

What a shame for the bloke, hope he makes a speedy recovery.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/8041630/Macdonald-just-happy-to-have-second-chance

Lovely story about the elderly lady sending the family two $5 notes to buy his kids a toy each. True generosity.

Glad he's OK. Put's everything in perspective.

God, when I saw this thread pop up again at the head of "My Posts" I actually didn't want to check the update that had obviously come through.

I'm delighted it was a happy update. Nothing better than seeing a humanbeing smiling who knows how special it is to be alive. Great news.