Rugby: Tuiali'i cleared of neck injury

Scans have cleared former All Blacks No 8 Mose Tuiali'i of a serious neck injury after he was stretchered off during Canterbury's 25-6 national provincial rugby victory in Invercargill last night.

Play was delayed for several minutes during the second half of the match at Rugby Park after Tuiali'i was carefully taken from the field after he was injured after lifting teammate Isaac Ross at a lineout.

Ross collided heavily with Tuiali'i on his descent, concussing the Japan-bound loose forward.

A spokesman for the Canterbury Rugby Union (CRFU) said Tuiali'i was cleared of serious injury after x-rays were taken at Southland Hospital though it is not yet known whether we will be available for Canterbury's quarterfinal against an as yet undetermined opponent in Christchurch next weekend.

Canterbury's opposition will be confirmed after tomorrow's final 10th round match between Auckland and Northland.

They will play the seventh-ranked team, most probably Waikato.

- NZPA