Baird (20), a business management and tourism student at the University of Otago, fell over after training at Bishopscourt two weeks ago and a stone nicked his knee.
He played against Taieri two days later and an infection entered his wound and spread rapidly throughout his body.
The bacteria charged through his body and he woke up in a distressed state at 4am the following day and was taken to the accident and emergency department of Dunedin Hospital.
Baird's father, Kaikorai club president Geoff Baird, told the Otago Daily Times yesterday doctors were concerned about his son's condition and he was put into intensive care.
"Craig's leg swelled - to the rib cage," he said.
"The bacteria were aggressive and pushed through his body fast.
He had kidney failure and his lungs partially collapsed."
Baird has had four operations to open his leg and get the poison out of his system.
"He was put on life support for two days and has lost 10kg in weight," Geoff Baird said.
Baird is suffering from streptococcus, a bacterial infection.
Dr David Gerrard, emeritus professor of sports medicine at the University of Otago, said the bacteria were responsible for several conditions ranging from streptococcus to a far more serious skin infection that could lead to an intense medical condition.
In view of the seriousness of Baird's condition, Dr Gerrard said rugby players would be advised not to play a game with an open wound that could lead to infection.
It should be covered.
"It is now mandatory for a player with a bleeding wound to be sidelined," Dr Gerrard said.
Otago Rugby Football Union operations co-ordinator Richard Perkins said Baird's condition was unusual and he did not know of any other case like it in Otago rugby.
