Goodes calls it quits because of concussion
Reggie Goodes looked into the eyes of his Hurricanes team-mates and said ‘‘don’t take this for granted’’, before announcing that he would never play rugby again.
The 26-year-old prop, a Super Rugby champion in 2016, is the latest New Zealand player lost to the sport due to concussion.
Although he has not played a competitive match since suffering a head knock during a pre-season fixture 12 months ago – his third concussion in as many years – Goodes only notified his team-mates of his retirement on Monday before making it public yesterday.
‘‘I would have dearly loved to continue playing rugby, but there are more important things in life than sport and I have decided to put my family first and hang up my boots,’’ said Goodes, in a statement issued by the Hurricanes.
‘‘Although I am pleased to say I am now feeling good, the medical advice and my history of head knocks suggests there is a risk there that’s not worth taking.’’
His team-mate and close friend, Brad Shields, said he knew what was coming when Goodes arrived at training and asked to speak to the squad on Monday.
But it still wasn’t any easier to hear that concussion had got another one, with Hurricanes lock James Broadhurst also pulling the pin last year.
‘‘For him to end his career so short is pretty devastating for us and obviously for him and his family, but sometimes you have to think about yourself and it’s better for him and his family that he hung his boots up,’’ Shields said.
Shields said seeing Goodes retire at 26 in the peak of his career was a ‘‘reality check’’ for the rest of players in the team, who are now fully aware of the risks of playing a ‘‘dangerous sport’’.
‘‘You can’t take this job for granted and every step along the way you have to make the most of it because you never know when it’s going to end, and unfortunately for Reg it’s come up short. But he’s had an unreal career and I applaud him for that. He’s been one of our best players over the last five years.’’
New Zealand Rugby general manager Neil Sorensen said Goodes deserved credit for the way he had managed the concussion.
During his enforced time on the sidelines, he started a degree in business studies, did volunteer community work and found a part-time job with Ricoh.
‘‘It’s always hugely disappointing when an athlete is forced to retire prematurely, but it is encouraging to see more players like Reg reporting their injuries and being guided by our medical staff to ensure they are not put at risk,’’ Sorensen said.
Hurricanes technical coach Richard Watt said it was unlikely that Goodes, who made 60 Super Rugby appearances and 45 provincial appearances during his career, would be lost to the game completely. He expected the Wellington College old boy to continue supporting the team closely and even endorsed him as a future scrum coach.
‘‘The game won’t lose Reggie. He loves the game and I don’t think he’ll walk away from the game. He could end up coaching and I think he’ll be a good scrum coach, so he’ll find things to keep himself involved and we’ll definitely try to haul him in for something lighthearted down the line.’’
The Hurricanes continue their pre-season preparations with another hit-out against the Blues tomorrow.