Michael Lynagh happy to be alive – Rugby News Update
The former Australian fly-half and one of the most recognised rugby players of all times, Michael Lynagh, has been released from the hospital following a stroke two weeks ago. After being discharged from the Royal Brisbane Hospital, where he was kept in
an intensive care unit for six days, he has spoken for the first time.
Explaining the damage that he has suffered, Lynagh said, "My brain has been damaged in certain places," he said. "45% of sight to the left has been lost, hopefully over time my eyesight will improve."
Lynagh played 72 tests for Australia, making his debut against Fiji at Suva in 1984 and by the time he had finished his international career in 1995, the fly-half had scored 911 points, the most by any rugby player in the history of the sport. He was a key
member of the Australian team that won the 1991 Rugby World Cup.
Speaking about his condition and the time he spent in the hospital, Lynagh said, "I understand how lucky I am." He further added, "I'm just very, very fortunate."
After his release he was in a jovial mood and he quoted his friend Rob, who said to him, “You haven't just dodged a bullet; you've dodged a cannonball.”
The news emerged of his hospitalisation on the 18th of April, what the local media described as a clot in his brain at that time. The 48-year-old was finally discharged on the 1st of May and his neurologist Dr Rob Henderson said that
Lynagh's progress was "amazing".
Lynagh, who also won a 100 caps for the Queensland retired from the sport in 1995, following the defeat to England in the World Cup. It was the same year that Rugby turned professional and he signed up with the Saracens, guiding his club to victory in the
1998 Tetley Bitter Cup final against the London Wasps.
The former Wallabies fly-half also spoke about life and how pleased he was to be alive. He said, "It's been a tough couple of weeks. I must say, I'm very pleased to be here."
Lynagh has been working in England for the last few years but it is unsure if the medical team will allow him to move back.
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