Southland rugby player Hoani MacDonald, who collapsed following a heart attack during a first class game, has improved enough for him to be moved out of the intensive care unit.
MacDonald, a former Junior All Black and New Zealand Maori representative, collapsed during the ITM Cup Championship division semi-final against Counties Manukau in Pukekohe on Saturday.
He was taken to Auckland's Middlemore Hospital where he was put into an induced coma.
Today, Rugby Southland chief executive Brian Hopley said they were delighted to say that MacDonald had continued to improve and he would be moved to a coronary care ward.
"Hoani has sent his thanks to everyone who has shown support for him and his family over the past two days, but they also ask for continued privacy."
His fiance and two sons had arrived from Invercargill and are at his bedside.
MacDonald, an experienced lock, made his debut for Southland in 2000.
The 34-year-old played 23 Super Rugby matches for the Highlanders between 2004 and 2008, before leaving to play for Welsh regional side Newport.
He returned to play for the Highlanders and Southland this year.
He is not the first athlete to suffer a heart attack while playing this year.
In March, English soccer player Fabrice Muamba, 23, survived an on-field heart attack.
In April, Italian soccer player Permario Morosini, 25, died after suffering a heart attack during a Italian Serie B game.
NZN