Don’t look away: the toll rugby must address
continues from p1 suffered while playing rugby. In just the previous 12 months there have been four deaths. And rugby means rugby, not union or league. When it comes to people dying it is long past time when the two codes need to start acting in harmony.
It is also time that the top of our national game started setting a way better example. In the last two test matches played by the All Blacks two of its players have been put at risk from second impact syndrome because they have not been removed immediately and permanently from the field of play.
Ryan Crotty was playing in the second test against Australia. In the 27th minute Crotty’s head was struck by Tevita Kuridrani’s leg in a tackle. When Crotty tried to get to his feet he reeled sideways. He staggered like a drunken crab. At this point World Rugby’s protocols demand that Crotty be removed permanently from the game.
Crotty was left to play on for just under a minute. His next act was to give away a penalty for an early tackle. He was then removed for an HIA. Predictably, because it is long established the HIA is an unreliable tool, Crotty returned to the game.
In the 63rd minute Crotty was hit by Israel Folau’s hip in the head. He takes a while to get to his feet and visibly does not look well. A medic comes on. Unbelievably Crotty was allowed to continue for a further four-and-a-half minutes before he is eventually removed. He has effectively been exposed to the risk of third impact syndrome.
There is an irony about Crotty’s replacement. The week before Sonny Bill Williams was clearly concussed in the second minute. After a tackle SBW tried to get up, used his arms for support, crabbed sideways and fell back. He again plays on. He receives other blows to the head. SBW is again at risk of second impact syndrome.
There is a pattern. Sam Cane, again concussed in the second test against Australia, was left on the pitch following a break in play. He defended poorly at the subsequent lineout and was finally removed.
Many medical observers believe that Kieran Read was concussed in the final test against the Lions. In fact I cannot remember the last time a test match was played without an All Black being concussed. Cane, Crotty, SBW and Crockett were concussed in the two-match series against Australia. Read, Waisake Naholo and Ben Smith were concussed against the Lions. There were almost certainly others.
This year alone, Beauden Barrett, Dane Coles, Cane, Crockett, Crotty, Naholo, Charlie Ngatai, Naholo, Brodie Retallick and Ben Smith have all suffered severe concussion symptoms. In the past both Read and Liam Squire have had long periods out of the game because of concussion.
Ataxia is the medical name for the loss of full control of body movement. In consecutive matches SBW and Crotty suffered ataxia and were not removed from the game. Don’t expect Sanzaar or World Rugby to take any action because they never do.
Rugby’s authorities continue to allow teams like the All Blacks and the Lions to set an appalling example. And each year another couple of invincible young people die. It is now five years since the death of Rowan Stringer. But as I write this column it is just five days since the death of a young mother. When will the tragedy end?