Zinzan Brooke Recovering After Head Surgery

Former All Black forward Zinzan Brooke is recovering in a Spanish hospital after surgery on a head injury.

Former All Black forward Zinzan Brooke is recovering in a Spanish hospital after surgery on a head injury, a spokesman for the Barbarians said on Monday.

Brooke, who was coaching the Barbarians' tour of Tunisia and Spain, sustained the injury after last Wednesday's 52-26 win over Spain in Elche.

"He got the injury while getting out of a taxi at the hotel in the early hours of Thursday morning. He fell down and hit the back of his head on the ground," Barbarians press officer Alan Evans said.

Although an initial diagnosis by the team doctor showed Brooke was okay it was recommended he did not fly back with the team.

His wife flew out to be with him but when he still complained of headaches on Sunday, hospital staff operated to relieve the pressure on his brain caused by a clot.

Brooke's brother and fellow All Black Robin was quoted as telling New Zealand's ONE News it was not life threatening and that his brother was in a reasonable condition.

A release date from the hospital has not yet been set.

The 42-year-old played 58 tests and scored 17 tries for New Zealand and later went on to coach English side Harlequins.