Ill coach Andrew Strawbridge lands in NZ for life-saving treatment

Andrew Strawbridge arrives on a plane at Hamilton airport after getting critically ill with an eye infection. Photo / David Kerr

Chiefs assistant coach Andrew Strawbridge has arrived back in New Zealand and is in a critical condition at Waikato Hospital.

Anxious Chiefs rugby officials were waiting at the Hamilton International Airport as his medical flight from Apia, Samoa landed at 6.15pm tonight.

Stawbridge was earlier today sedated and deemed stable enough to travel home to be treated for an infection in his right eye which has rapidly deteriorated over the past three days.

His plane had travelled via Tonga.

An ambulance was waiting on the tarmac to transfer him to Waikato Hospital's the intensive care unit.

About half a dozen St John Ambulance staff helped and transfer Strawbridge onto a stretcher and into the ambulance.

Relatives were also at the airport, watching developments from a vehicle, but with an obscured view of the transfer.

Chiefs rugby board chairman Dallas Fisher and chief executive Andrew Flexman were on hand to see Strawbridge transferred.

Mr Fisher said the Chiefs were grateful for all the care and support carried out by medical staff in Samoa.

"We're extremely thankful for what Manu Samoa and the hospital have done over there," Mr Fisher told the Herald as the plane came in to land.

He said Strawbridge had been very sick but he, the Chiefs franchise and his family had been humbled by the support.

Mr Fisher said they were able to get Strawbridge home by putting the medical evacuation in place quickly along with getting help from authorities in New Zealand and Samoa.

"We're very pleased to have him home so he can be with his family and get further medical attention. Everyone has been very concerned but he is holding up well."

Chiefs Head Coach Dave Rennie added in a statement tonight: "It has been a difficult time for Straws, his family and all of those who are close to him.

"It is fantastic to have him back and we appreciate all the work that has gone on to get him home by the medical staff, Manu Samoan aiga, New Zealand Rugby and the Chiefs.

"There are lots of people who love and care about Straws and that has been highlighted by the huge number of messages of support we have received."

A further update on Strawbridge's condition is expected tomorrow morning.

Andrew Strawbridge. Photo / Getty Images

Strawbridge was joining the Manu Samoa campaign as a technical advisor for Manu Samoa for the All Blacks test and was due to leave with the squad on Monday for the Pacific Nations Cup in the United States and Canada.

But he took ill on Tuesday and an urgent call was put out for blood donors.

Medical staff at the hospital were looking for donations of Type O-negative blood, the message got through to a hotel where West Coast man Ross Wylde was enjoying a drink, One News reported.

He immediately switched to drinking coffee and water, and was later picked up by a doctor to donate his blood.

Mr Wylde said he was a registered blood donor so had no hesitation in helping out.

Strawbridge's wife Laura and sister Susan Strawbridge earlier joined him in Samoa and today again expressed gratitude to the medical team at Moto'otua Hospital, the Manu Samoa aiga and the New Zealand rugby community.

Laura Strawbridge said she was "overwhelmed by the support we are continuing to receive in both Samoa and New Zealand".

She added: "The kindness shown to us, and the offers of support, has been incredible. We want to thank everyone for their much needed thoughts and kind wishes at this extremely difficult time."