Hurricanes prop Schwalger ruled out of Super rugby

Hurricanes prop John Schwalger will miss the rest of the 2014 Super Rugby season after he was diagnosed with blood clots on his lungs.

Hurricanes medical stafff initially though that Schwalger had a chest infection but further tests have revealed a more serious problem that could lead to him being ruled out for the rest of the year.

Schwalger, who has played twice for the All Blacks, missed the Hurricanes 39-20 victory over the Blues and coach Mark Hammett said that they will now look at bringing in a replacement prop.

“We thought it was likely to just be a chest infection, which it was initially, and he was treated with antibiotics but even after that had healed, he was still having the same issues,”Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett told Reuters.

“I’m just pleased they got it when they did. It could have been a really scary case, particularly for a tough guy like him who would have probably just soldiered on with something like that.

“It’s a serious illness, I suppose you’d call it, and it’s very likely to keep him out for the rest of the year, certainly for Super Rugby.

“A lot of people have overcome that, so hopefully he does and can push on for next year.”