$110m bill for rugby injuries

The cost of rugby-related injuries has reached an all-time high, with ACC spending more than $110 million in the last financial year to heal weekend warriors’ pains and strains.

Injuries for both rugby union and rugby league make up the stats which show that, while injuries are slowly decreasing, the cost of treating them is on the up.

In the 2014/15 financial year, almost 80,000 claims were lodged with ACC compared with just over 70,000 in 2018/19 for both codes.

The cost of injuries has continued to rise in that time from $95m in 2014/15 to more than $110m last financial year.

All of the injuries relate to amateur players, with professional rugby players covered by their codes’ overarching organisations.

Head of injury prevention for ACC Isaac Carlson said anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, dislocations and other severe injuries – while less common – were by far the most costly.

‘‘We know that if we can have a bigger impact on ACL injuries and rotator cuff injuries, that is going to make the biggest difference from a cost perspective.’’

More than $7m was spent treating ACL related injuries in the last financial year, making it the most expensive injury four years in a row.

According to Carlson, the 20-40 age bracket was the most costly, often due to ACC having to compensate their wages for missed time at work.

However, the majority of injuries –

across all sports – was in the 10-14 age bracket.

‘‘A lot more young people have significant injuries that are more typical of elite level players.’’

Carlson believed this was due to an increase in younger players being professionally developed at an earlier age when their bodies may not be ready.

The most common injury is ankle sprains, with more than 5000 reported to ACC last financial year. Sprains to the knee, leg, shoulder and upper arm were also in the thousands.

According to RugbySmart manager Joe Harawira, promoting non-contact alternatives like Rippa rugby and Quick Rip – similar to sevens – was one way to lower the injury rate. The RugbySmart programme, which helps players and coaches minimise the risk of injury, was also bringing down injury numbers, Harawira said.

There was still a ‘‘huge challenge’’ to get people to report concussions, he believed.

More than 2000 people each year lodged a claim due to a concussion, with ACC paying nearly $4m for treatment last financial year.

A new initiative with World Rugby, called Activate, will focus on specialist training for certain age groups.

‘‘Our aim is to pilot a version of it next year and then use it to prevent more injuries – particularly soft tissue injuries,’’ Harawira said.

Former club player Mark Simeon said he was cautious of playing rugby following a number of injuries.

Two years ago, he dislocated his shoulder and a decade prior had to take time off due to a finger injury.

‘‘Being injured is a factor you have to think about. Now I have got a family, so the thought of being injured is bigger than myself.’’

Playing touch rugby was a way of being able to exercise without the risk of serious injury, he said.

‘‘I still get the competitiveness and the fitness without as many risks as fullcontact rugby.’’