Chiefs assistant coach Andrew Strawbridge is in a critical condition in the intensive Care Unit at Waikato Hospital.

He was flown back to Hamilton for further treatment for an eye infection that left him in a critical condition in a Samoan hospital earlier this week.

Strawbridge arrived at Hamilton Airport via an air ambulance at 6.20pm on Friday evening, his condition having stabilised sufficiently to be moved from Moto'otua National Hospital in Apia.

Bruce Mercer The plane carrying Andrew Strawbridge arrived at Hamilton airport early Friday evening.

Chiefs CEO Andrew Flexman and Chairman Dallas Fisher were at Hamilton Airport for the arrival. He was then transferred to the Intensive Care Unit at Waikato Hospital.

A Chiefs spokesperson confirmed Strawbridge, 50, became ill on a flight to Apia on Tuesday where he was heading in his role as technical advisor for the Manu Samoa team that were playing the All Blacks on Wednesday.

The infection in his right eye deteriorated rapidly and he was admitted to hospital soon after arriving in Samoa. He had been due to leave with the Samoa squad next Monday for the Pacific Nations Cup in the United States and Canada.

Bruce Mercer An ambulance was on hand at Hamilton Airport to transport Andrew Strawbridge to hospital.

A panicked All Blacks chairman frantically rang fans looking for blood as Samoan doctors tried to keep Strawbridge stable.

West Coast man Ross Wylde, who'd travelled over to watch the historic All Blacks match against Manu Samoa on Wednesday, didn't hesitate to step-up when he got the call.

"I was at my hotel when the phone call came through from the hospital, the All Black chairman said look we need blood," said Wylde.

BRUCE MERCER/FAIRFAX NZ Chiefs assistant coach Andrew Strawbridge became critically ill with an eye infection on his way to Samoa.

"It was about midnight and if I hadn't been there it would have been a real problem."

The West Coast man was on an All Black supporters' tour and understood he was the only person to donate blood. He told One News that as soon as he knew he would need to give blood, he started drinking coffee and water.

"I was just there at the right place at the right time. O negative blood can match anyone else, it's just by chance Andrew and [I have the same blood type]," Wylde said.

Strawbridge's condition was still labelled as critical on Friday as he continued to be treated with antibiotics to fight the infection. However, he was deemed stable enough to travel home.

The Moto'otua National Hospital updated his condition early on Friday, saying Strawbridge was awake and aware of people talking to him but a mechanical ventilator meant he was unable to speak in response.

Chiefs Head Coach Dave Rennie said "It has been a difficult time for Straws, his family and all of those who are close to him.

"It is fantastic to have him back and we appreciate all the work that has gone on to get him home by the medical staff, Manu Samoan aiga, New Zealand Rugby and the Chiefs.

"There are lots of people who love and care about Straws and that has been highlighted by the huge number of messages of support we have received."

The family continues to ask for privacy at this time.

His wife Laura and sister Susan Strawbridge joined him in Samoa. The family has again expressed gratitude for the care and support shown to Strawbridge from the medical team at Moto'otua Hospital, the Manu Samoa aiga and the New Zealand rugby community.

Laura Strawbridge said: "We are overwhelmed by the support we are continuing to receive in both Samoa and New Zealand. The kindness shown to us, and the offers of support, has been incredible. We want to thank everyone for their much-needed thoughts and kind wishes at this extremely difficult time."

"We are touched and overwhelmed by the kindness and alofa shown to us by friends and strangers and the wider rugby community. I would particularly like to thank the wonderful All Blacks supporter, here for the test match, who responded to the call for a donation of Andrew's blood type.

"The ICU team at Moto'otua Hospital, our Chiefs rugby family, our Manu Samoa aiga and New Zealand Rugby have shown us open-hearted support at this extremely difficult time."

Meanwhile, Strawbridge's former Waikato team-mate and current Waikato Rugby Union president Steve Gordon said it had been a "hell of a shock for everyone" when they were contacted on Tuesday and told of their friend's dire medical condition.

"It's pretty frightening when you get the message that the longer he stays alive the better his chances are," Gordon said.

"It really brings home that it was pretty severe and he's still not out of the woods yet, from what we can gather. He's still in pretty fragile stage.

"We just hope he can overcome it and get back to the Straws we all know and love."

Strawbridge has been an assistant coach at the Chiefs since 2012 - when Rennie took over as head coach - and recently signed on for another two seasons.

Prior to that Strawbridge was an assistant coach with the Auckland provincial side, having previously worked as a high school teacher and coached a number of Waikato representative sides.

He was born in Christchurch but grew up in Hamilton and was educated at Hamilton Boys' High School and Waikato University.

As a player he became one of 21 centurions for Waikato, playing a total of 131 games for the province as a goal-kicking outside back from 1983 to 1995. In that time he won both the NPC first division title and the Ranfurly Shield.

Samoa Rugby Union acting Chief Executive Faleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai said: "We are all deeply shocked at how quickly this has evolved and we are very concerned for Straws' health. We are now doing everything we can to support him, Laura and their families."