![\"Semisi](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/semisi-naiqara-and-his-mum-while-he-was-in-hospital-VD44B76S2ZEOVKHTHW6CBTDOOE.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAfter suffering a severe brain injury during a school rugby game, 16-year-old Semisi Naiqara\u2019s life support was turned off and his family was told to be ready to say goodbye. <\/p>\n
But nearly a year later, he walked out of treatment and is getting ready to return to school next year, in what those who cared for him described as a \u201cmiracle\u201d. <\/p>\n
On September 5, 2024, Semisi was playing for the prestigious Wesley College 1st XV when he took a bad head knock and suffered a traumatic brain injury. <\/p>\n
The \u201cgentle\u201d young man, described as an \u201cabsolute charmer\u201d with a \u201cbeautiful faith\u201d by those who know him, was a talented and respected member of the team. Alongside rugby, Semisi was a brilliant student with a passion for maths and economics. <\/p>\n
His doctors said they had never seen such a bad brain scan before and told his family that chances were he \u201cwasn\u2019t going to make it\u201d, said Lisa Kingi-Bon, chief executive of NZ Rugby Foundation.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter much deliberation and much pain with the family and their support networks, the doctors had advised that the sensible thing to do would be to end his life support,\u201d said Kingi-Bon. <\/p>\n
Her organisation is dedicated to helping seriously injured rugby players and she spoke to 1News on behalf of Semisi and his family. <\/p>\n
‘Keep breathing’<\/p>\n
Semisi was placed into palliative care and his family was given a bleak prognosis. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs the life support came off, his older brother just kept saying, \u2018Little Bro, keep breathing, keep breathing, keep breathing,\u201d Kingi-Bon said. <\/p>\n
Two days later, Semisi was still breathing \u2013 a shock and delight to everyone around him. <\/p>\n
\u201cI’ve got very clear memory of a number of the surgeons literally just putting their hands up and saying, \u2018we don’t know what this kid is doing, but he\u2019s literally leading his own way\u2019,\u201d Kingi-Bon said.<\/p>\n
The injury meant the 16-year-old was unable to walk or talk, but he kept fighting to stay alive. <\/p>\n
Semisi underwent some major surgeries, including one lasting nine hours, where a piece of his skull was cut off to ease pressure on the brain. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Semisi Naiqara and his mum while he was in hospital. (Source: Supplied)<\/p>\n
Against all odds, on October 21 – six weeks after the injury, the teen was transferred from Auckland Hospital to an acute brain injury facility in R\u0101nui. <\/p>\n
When he arrived, Semisi needed two or three people to assist him with basic tasks like showering.<\/p>\n
And then on July 22 this year, after months of treatment and physical therapy, Kingi-Bon said he \u201cwalked out\u201d. <\/p>\n
She described him as a \u201cmiracle boy\u201d. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don’t use that word lightly,\u201d she said. \u201cWe always take a lead from our proper medical professionals, but this is just one of those amazing times when he just wasn’t ready to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Semisi still has some residual weakness on his left side, and no short-term memory \u2013 still needing a team to help with his treatment and care. <\/p>\n
But he has started a whole new journey and continues to make strides in his treatment. He managed to make it for the school rugby team\u2019s photo, properly kitted out in his number ones. <\/p>\n
He even made it to the school ball. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe hired like this flash-as tux for him, and albeit that he only lasted two or three hours that doesn’t matter, he was there,\u201d Kingi-Bon said. <\/p>\n
Semisi spent 2025 putting all his energy into treatment, but his and his supporters’ goal is to get him back to school to finish year 13 in 2026. <\/p>\n
For now, the goal for Semisi is to take things \u201cday by day\u201d.<\/p>\n
Family never left his side <\/p>\n
![\"Semisi](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/semisi-with-his-family-YFLNFVPIFBB4HEFJ5DBTGTFD3E.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Semisi with his family. (Source: Supplied)<\/p>\n
Kingi-Bon has nothing but praise for Semisi\u2019s \u201cbeautiful\u201d family, who never left his side. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere was a mattress on the floor beside his bed, and two of his family were there at all times,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The Rugby Foundation paid for an apartment where the rest of his family stayed so they wouldn\u2019t have to drive an hour to and from the hospital every day. <\/p>\n
She said his \u201cbeautiful\u201d mum and \u201chumble\u201d dad stayed with him every day. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou know that expression, you come with nothing, you leave with nothing. Semisi\u2019s family has been a beautiful reminder to me of what values really are.\u201d<\/p>\n
She also praised Semisi\u2019s local rugby community, Counties Manukau, his church and the Wesley College wh\u0101nau. <\/p>\n