He has been left behind in Dunedin after a medical incident at training on Thursday led to him being sent to Dunedin Hospital.
Highlanders marketing and communications manager Amanda Gould said yesterday the franchise had no comment on the incident apart from what it said on Thursday, confirming a player had been taken to hospital.
The Otago Daily Times understands the player was tighthead Fia, who suffered a medical event at training at the University Oval and was taken by ambulance to the hospital about 4pm on Thursday. The medical event was not believed to be rugby-related.
He was placed under observation and has since been discharged.
Fia (24) had an impressive game for the Highlanders last week but left the field early in the second half with a blow to his shoulder.
He had recovered and been named to start the game against the Waratahs in Sydney tomorrow.
But he did not make the trip yesterday and was withdrawn from the team. He has been replaced in the starting side by veteran Chris King.
King's place in the reserves has been taken by Southland prop JP Koen, who has been training with the Highlanders squad over the past couple of weeks.
Highlanders general manager Roger Clark could not be contacted yesterday.
