News: Bracing for the future

[ManlyBacker]

<p>BRUISING Manly centre Steve Matai will consider wearing a neck brace to prolong his NRL career. The Kiwi international has already held talks with ex-Broncos coach Wayne Bennett about wearing a Brent Tate-like brace. Matai has had at least two visits to the theatre for surgery on his damaged neck since making his NRL debut with the Sea Eagles in March 2005.</p>

<a href="http://www.silvertails.net/news/Sea-Eagles/bracing-for-the-future.html">Read the full article</a>

 

[ManlyBacker]

And from abc.net.au:
Manly centre Steve Matai says he is still receiving medical advice on how to recover from his neck injury.

Matai missed the Sea Eagles' win over the Wests Tigers at the weekend but is hopeful of recovering in time to play against Souths on Saturday.

The New Zealand international had neck surgery after missing last year's rugby league world cup final. Matai says he is likely to be battling the injury all season.

"I hurt it last week against Newcastle and had a few scans and come back I've flexed a nerve," he said.

"At that level where I had the surgery it's not going to be as strong as the other levels so it's going to be ongoing and I'll see a specialist next week and hopefully he'll give me a few options."

Matai says a neck brace like the one worn by Warriors centre Brent Tate is an option. "I hadn't considered it before but a few of the trainers have come to me and said 'look why don't you try it,' so I'll have a look at it and talk to Brent Tate about it," he said.