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Subscribe to RSS FeedMounga`s condition improves
Fifita Mounga is getting better
The condition of United States number eight Fifita Mounga has improved significantly over the last two days, but he still won't accompany the team to Montpellier for their final World Cup match against South Africa on Sunday.
Mounga, who was stretchered off after he collected a forearm from Samoan flank Justin Purdie inside the final quarter, was taken to hospital on Wednesday.
However, he has since regained feeling in his fingers and toes.
Mounga has undergone tests for spinal injuries and received an MRI scan.
Coach Peter Thornburn, who spent Thursday morning with him in hospital, said the prognosis was good.
"He is comfortable, he has feeling in his extremities, but there is doubt about when he can be moved," Thorburn said on the IRB website.
Mounga will not travel with the team to Montpellier for their match against South Africa on Sunday.
His return home, with the rest of the US Eagles team after Sunday's game, is also in doubt and he will instead be cared for by Dr Bruce Miller, the teams' doctor, in Saint-Etienne.
Members of the team have taken the loss of Mounga, one of their most senior players, hard.
Captain Mike Hercus said it was difficult to see one of his players injured.
"I've had it [players injured] before, but probably not as worried as I was about Fifita, because he is a genuinely hard man who has been an amazing competitor for years and to see him like that was pretty scary.
