All Black's son caught in airport conveyor belt

Wellington - The one-year-old son of All Black Vaea Fifita was rushed to hospital after being injured by an airport conveyor belt, the player confirmed on Friday on the eve of the first Test against France. 

The toddler was somehow carried into Auckland Airport's baggage handling area on Thursday as the family checked-in. 

Staff at the airport were reviewing video footage to find out how the accident happened. 

"He had an operation on his arm and is doing okay," Fifita said. "My partner and I would like to thank airport, emergency services and hospital staff for all their support." 

Paula Fifita, who turns two this month, was said to be in a stable condition. 

The All Blacks' blindside flank posted on Facebook last week how much he was enjoying being with his sons before they left for Tonga while he was involved in the Test series against France. 

Fifita, who can also double at lock, has been named on the bench for the first Test and an All Blacks spokesperson confirmed he remained in the match-day 23 despite the accident. 

A Civil Aviation Authority spokesperson said staff were "extremely surprised" to discover a child in the baggage handling system.

Teams:

New Zealand

15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Sam Whitelock (captain), 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody

Substitutes: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 19 Vaea Fifita, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Damian McKenzie, 23 Ngani Laumape

France

15 Maxime Médard, 14 Teddy Thomas, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud (captain), 12 Geoffrey Doumayrou, 11 Remy Grosso, 10 Anthony Belleau, 9 Morgan Parra, 8 Fabien Sanconnie, 7 Kelian Gourdon, 6 Judicaël Cancoriet, 5 Yoann Maestri, 4 Paul Gabrillagues, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Camille Chat, 1 Dany Priso

Substitutes: 16 Adrien Pélissié, 17 Cyril Baille, 18 Rabah Slimani, 19 Bernard le Roux, 20 Alexandre Lapandry, 21 Baptiste Serin, 22 Jules Plisson, 23 Gael Fickou