Hames hopes to play again
The Chiefs have confirmed Kane Hames won’t play Super Rugby next year, but the former All Blacks prop is still holding out hope of a return to the field at some stage in the future following a long concussion battle.
The 31-year-old hasn’t played for the Chiefs since their semifinal defeat to the Crusaders in Christchurch in 2017, and the last of his nine test matches came against Wales in Cardiff in November that year.
Since then, the front rower has been forced into an extended stint on the sideline due to mysteriously lingering concussion symptoms, which no-one publicly confirmed until then-Chiefs coach Colin Cooper did so in October last year when unveiling his 2019 squad.
Hames was contracted to the Chiefs – who he has played 25 games for since 2016 – and New Zealand Rugby until the end of this year, but was left out of the club’s 2020 Super Rugby squad which was announced this week, with his future in the game uncertain.
Hames has declined interview requests to talk about his situation, but in a statement to the New Zealand Herald on Wednesday said: ‘‘It’s been a frustrating two years learning and applying concussion recovery protocols with slow progress. However, progress is progress and I am hoping that it keeps going to the point where I can be in a position to play again.’’
At a media launch for the Kiwi Super Rugby sides on Wednesday, Chiefs assistant coach Neil Barnes told the Herald that Hames had had to put things in perspective.
‘‘Your health and your whole life in front of you, he’s probably made the right decision,’’ Barnes said. ‘‘We would have loved to have had him back, but we’re certainly not going to put people in a position where it affects the rest of their well being.
‘‘He’s come back in other areas; he’s a talented individual as you’ll see in his work on TV, so good on him.’’
Hames has been heard and seen on Sky Sport, doing commentary in the Mitre 10 Cup and featuring as a panellist, while he has also been coaching age-group players in the Tasman region.