HURRICANES/TWITTER
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The Hurricanes have told former teammate Michael Fatialofa that he is in their thoughts and prayers as he recovers from neck surgery in an English hospital.
Fatialofa - a Super Rugby title winner with the Hurricanes in 2016 - suffered a frightening neck injury in Worcester's heavy loss to Saracens on January 4 and has had surgery to ease the swelling.
He remains at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London with his wife Tatiana at his bedside.
Fatialofa's Worcester Warriors teammates have been offered counselling to help them deal with witnessing the serious injury to the 27-year-old lock.
His former Hurricanes colleagues are equally concerned about their friend, and posted a video on the club's Twitter account on Saturday, offering their support.
The Hurricanes training squad grouped behind centre Vince Aso and hooker Ricky Riccitelli as they paid heartfelt tributes to Fatialofa.
Aso said: "Just on behalf of the Hurricanes and the boys, just like to send our love and our thoughts with Michael Fats and Tatiana, we know you're going through a tough gig but... I know you'll get through it."
Riccitelli added: "You're a big part of this world, you mean the most to this region... we're all behind you bro, all the best for your recovery and there's many prayers in this group for you."
Meanwhile, the Worcester Warriors dedicated their 66-13 European Challenge Cup win over Russia club Enisei-STM to Fatialofa.
