Rugby a risky game

THINGS appear to be perfect, but they aren’t. After a World Cup where the excellence of the winning All-Black side was matched by the sheer size of Sonny Bill Williams’ heart, the admiration we felt for the players who stepped beyond the boundaries of their courage was tempered by the effects the game is having on their lives.

Last week alone was a brutal one in the history of the sport with Wednesday bringing us news of Felix Jones’ retirement.

At 28, the former Munster and Ireland full-back is on the search for a new career, his old one brought to an abrupt and frightening end when doctors told him his neck was unable to withstand the physical pressures of the professional game.

While Wednesday’s child was full of woe, Thursday’s was all about Tommy Bowe. Removed from the fray during the first half of Ireland’s painful World Cup quarter-final defeat to Argentina, Bowe discovered the extent of the damage to his knee a week ago when he was informed that he wouldn’t play again this season.

Remember, too, that by the time Wales exited the competition, eight of their players had left before them.

Misfortune was spreading. Last Saturday, it was Australia’s turn to feel the hurt, with two of their starters, Kane Douglas and Matt Giteau, forced out of the action.

“Something certainly needs to be done,” agreed Eddie Jones, who coached Australia to the 2003 World Cup final and Japan to this year’s thrilling and surprising victory over South Africa.

“Players are getting bigger, stronger and faster and the field is staying the same size,” said Jones.

Yet is rugby really tackling its biggest issue, the health of its players? The authorities will passionately argue they are. The truth, however, is lying on the medical table.