The Canterbury No8 Mose Tuiali'i has been ruled out of the rest of rugby's provincial championship with bruising of the spinal cord.
Tuiali'i was hurt after coming on as a substitute in the win over Southland in Invercargill on Friday night and was fitted with a neck collar he'll have to wear for three weeks.
Canterbury's medical director Steve Muir says while they're confident Tuiali'i will make a full recovery he's being assessed at Burwood Spinal Unit on Friday .
The former All Black's going to Japan at the end of the season so Friday night's match was effectively his last for Canterbury.
He played 42 times for the province, 68 times for the Crusaders and had nine tests after making his debut against Argentina in 2004.
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