Matai’s career hangs by a thread
By Tony Adams
August 27, 2016
A TINY titanium plate will determine whether tough Manly centre Steve Matai is able to play football again.
In the same week that the Sea Eagles are farewelling star centre Jamie Lyon in their last home game for 2016,
RLW can reveal that his partner in crime is battling to save his career.
The 32-year-old Kiwi is among the most respected players in the NRL because of his no-nonsense style and ability to play through pain, but his career’s now hanging in the balance.
Matai had surgery on a chronic neck injury two months ago and is praying a titanium plate inserted into his spinal cord will give his body the strength to play again.
“It was very delicate surgery and the doctors took part of the disc out of his neck and put the plate in there,” says his manager, Gavin Orr.
“Now it’s just a waiting game and he’ll be guided by the specialists.
“You obviously don’t mess around with your neck and spine and he has a long life ahead of him.
“He played with the injury for a long time and the doctors told him he was in danger of crushing his nerves and causing permanent damage.
“He was scared of the surgery but I got him to have a chat to [Manly team-mate] Brenton Lawrence, who had similar surgery on his lower back and has come back from it very well.
“It took him 12 months but he returned very strongly from a career-threatening injury.
“After that, Steve decided to go ahead and go under the knife.
“He can’t do any contact work for six months so it will be a long, anxious wait but Steve’s as tough as they come and if there’s any way he can return, he will.”
http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/matais-career-hangs-thread/