Blood clot ends Schwalger's season

 

The All Black first suffered the ailment, originally believed to be a chest infection, last year and played only six games for the Hurricanes.

 

He also skipped Wellington's dismal NPC campaign.

 

Schwalger was primed for a return this season but after he got the flu last month, which left him bedridden for five days, the clots returned and he isn't allowed any contact until June.

 

"I was looking forward to jamming with the Hurricanes and playing with Ma'a [Nonu] one last time," Schwalger told the NZ Herald.

 

"It sucks, to be honest. When I found out the second time I was close to breaking down but once I saw the specialist he gave me a bit of hope which is something for me to look forward to.

 

"So now we've got to have a plan that once I do come off the medicine and I'm all good, we've just got to get it sorted before it ever makes its way up to my lungs."

 

Schwalger, 31, returned to the Hurricanes in 2013 after two years in France with Augen and is off-contract at the end of this season.

 

He said his goal was to play the final two games of the Super Rugby season in June, although that could extend if the Hurricanes were to make the playoffs.

 

"You can only do so much to put yourself back on that field and I'll do anything to get back there."