Recovering Taieri rugby player inspires Irish hardman

Austen Haig (20) with an Irish rugby jersey given to him by hooker Rory Best, while Otago Rugby Football Union community rugby manager Richard Perkins, who arranged the gift, looks on.

The 20-year-old Taieri man, who was told he would never walk again following a serious rugby injury, has wowed medical staff and served as an inspiration for an Irish rugby player.

Yesterday, the University of Otago accounting and chemistry student became the proud owner of the match jersey worn by uncompromising Irish rugby hooker Rory Best.

Last week the pair met at a Dunedin hotel before the team's crunch match against Italy, with Best, who recovered from surgery to correct a chronic bulging disc two years ago, giving him an exclusive insight into the team's preparation.

"It was great," Mr Haig told the Otago Daily Times yesterday.

"To be honest I had never heard of him before . . . but he is a good player."

Mr Haig, who played hooker for the Taieri colts side, was at Otago Stadium to watch Ireland beat Italy, and also saw his new rugby hero go off with a serious shoulder injury.

Despite being taken to hospital with a possible World Cup-ending injury, Best managed to send his match-day rugby jersey to the Otago Rugby Football Union community rugby manager, Richard Perkins, to pass on to Mr Haig.

Yesterday, Mr Perkins presented the emerald green jersey - with "2" printed on the back and "Roy Best 53 cap" monogrammed inside - saying he was blown away by the gift.

Having sustained potentially life-threatening injuries while playing for his rugby team on April 16, Mr Haig has spent the last six months focused on recovery - one day at at time.

"When I was taken to Burwood [it] was pretty scary, I couldn't move; everything had to be done for you . . . you couldn't even scratch your head."

His proud mother, Helen, said her son, who was given a minimal chance of walking again, helped those around him by staying positive and defying the medical odds.

Mr Haig said his recovery was made possible by the support given to him by his family, friends, team-mates, medical staff and the New Zealand Rugby Foundation, which provides ongoing care for seriously injured players and their families.

He was enjoying watching the World Cup, particularly his two favourite teams - New Zealand and Ireland - which he hopes will contest the final of a sport he will never play again.

"I will keep myself wrapped in cotton wool for a while."

- hamish.mcneilly@odt.co.nz