League: Tanielu in no rush to decide future

North Queensland prop Robert Tanielu has broken his silence on the neck injury that threatens his rugby league career, insisting he will not be pressured into making a premature decision about his future.

Speaking from his hospital bed in Townsville, the New Zealander yesterday said he was making steady progress from the spinal bruising he suffered during the National Rugby League (NRL) match last Saturday against Brisbane in Townsville.

Tanielu, who underwent spinal fusion surgery early in his career, was taken from the field on a stretcher amid concerns he had played his last game.

Following the incident, Tanielu, 24, was advised by North Queensland doctor Greg Winter and former Brisbane and Queensland captain Gorden Tallis, who retired after suffering a neck injury, to consider his future.

The Cowboys prop had no feeling in his arms or legs after accidentally colliding with the elbow of Brisbane wing Scott Minto when attempting to make a tackle.

Scans have cleared him of structural damage , but days after the game he had not regained complete feeling in his hands and feet.

Tanielu, however, is in no hurry to make a decision whether he will play next year, preferring to devote his energies towards making a full recovery.

"It was something you wouldn't want to imagine," Tanielu said in today's edition of The Australian newspaper.

"It was pretty scary at the time. But the last couple of days it's just been getting better and better. I'm making a good recovery.

"It (retirement) hasn't entered my mind. I am just staying really positive and waiting to get my neck right. I'll see where I go from there."

Tanielu has played in the NRL for Brisbane, Melbourne and North Queensland.

Tanielu paid tribute to the club and his family, who have maintained a bedside vigil.

His manager, Jim Banaghan, arranged for Tanielu's father Tala to travel from Christchurch while the mother of his partner, Janelle, is on her way to Townsville to help take care of the couple's young son.

"Dad is very religious and everyone back home is praying," Tanielu said.

"I've had really good support from back home. The support and love of family at times like this is what gets you through. Playing football is a much lower priority behind family and health."

- NZPA