Hurricanes prop John Schwalger has been ruled out of Super Rugby for an indefinite period, after being diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs.

He was withdrawn at short notice from the replacement bench for Friday’s 39-20 win by the Canes over the Blues in Wellington.

rugby365

It was thought he was displaying flu symptoms.

However, a check-up has since revealed the life-threatening blood clots and no time frame has been put on Schwalger’s return to the game.

* Meanwhile, Blues scrumhalf Piri Weepu has fired a shot at his own side, following the defeat in New Zealand’s capital.

They’ve lost 12-straight games away from home to sit last in the New Zealand conference and 11th overall.

Weepu has told Veitch on Sport they need to get on the same page.

“Boys have to look at themselves and figure out if they went to be in the team or not,” Weepu said.

“If you’ve got that kind of attitude then obviously you don’t really want to be a part of the franchise.”

Piri Weepu is expected to return to the side against the Brumbies next weekend following his minor stroke and heart surgery.

And Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett isn’t interested hearing about the resurgence of his side in Super Rugby.

After starting the year with three straight losses, the ‘Canes have now won three in a row to sit second in the New Zealand conference, and fifth overall.

Hammett says he’s more concerned with how to continue their form.

He says he’s not a big fan of talking about momentum, because his job is making sure they replicate what’s working for them.

Hammett says backline utility Alapati Leiua is his only real injury concern from the win, taking a stinging knock to his shoulder.