The parents of a promising Manawatu schoolboy rugby player who died after a tackle which broke his neck, do not want the tragedy to put others off rugby.
Robert Hickland was destined for rugby heights, he starred in the Fielding High School first fifteen's tour of England earlier this year.
Playing at fullback in a borrowed jersey with number 21 on the back because his had been stolen, Hickland showed why he was been picked for the New Zealand under-17 squad.
But sadly last month he fell awkwardly in a tackle against arch-rivals Rathkeale College.
"They just wanted to go hard in this match against Rathkeale College," Robert's mother, Pepe Hickland said. "They just wanted to have a mean game."
He ended up in Burwood Spinal Unit with a broken neck, but developed an infection and later died in Christchurch hospital. His parents do not want his death to put people off rugby.
"They are worried about the accidents and that in rugby," Robert's father, Michael Hickland said. "There aren't that many. How many people get killed in a car crash and that?"
Coach Rick Francis was one of many who recognised Robert Hickland's talents.
"Probably he was our version of Christian Cullen," says coach Rick Francis. "He had all the skills, the ability to beat players, quick hands, ability to side-step, a good kicker of the ball."
He has analysed video of the tackle that injured Robert. There was nothing malicious in it - the seriousness of Robert's injury took people by surprise.
“We were hoping to bring our boy home, even if it was in a wheelchair, we didn't think the outcome would be like this,” says Pepe Hickland.
source: newshub archive
