A teenage club rugby player has been placed in an induced coma after he suffered critical injuries at a club rugby match in Wellington.
The 19-year-old was induced after having brain surgery at Wellington Hospital following the incident on Saturday.
The incident at Ngatitoa Domain in Porirua has been described as a "tragic accident" by the teenager's family.
"He was doing what he loved, enjoying the game he has played since he was 7-years-old. What happened was nothing more than an accident," a family statement said.
"Family and friends are with him at his bedside at Wellington Hospital and they want to express their thanks for the wonderful care he has received from the paramedics, rugby supporters at Ngati Toa Domain, and from the amazing staff at Wellington Hospital."
The Wellington Football club's colts player was removed from the field late in the match after teammates noticed he was displaying worrying symptoms during a stoppage in play, Wellington Rugby said in a statement.
"Shortly after leaving the field his condition deteriorated rapidly and ambulance officers already at the ground attended to the player," the statement said.
"He was taken to Wellington Hospital where he underwent brain surgery on Saturday night. Since then he has remained in a critical condition."
Wellington Rugby chief executive Steve Rogers said the organisation was focusing on providing support for the player's family, his club and the wider rugby community affected by the indicent.
"Although no single incident has been identified as the cause of the player's injury, witnesses have reported the player was involved in a collision during the first half of the match," Rogers told stuff.co.nz.
"There are no allegations of foul play."
Earlier in the year New Zealand Rugby unveiled a $7 million programme for concussion in club rugby.