Doc: Denver altitude won’t be a problem

ENGLAND doctor Chris Brookes has dismissed claims that their Test match against New Zealand in Denver on June 23 could put players’ health at risk.

Reports Down Under state a letter will this week be sent by Australia’s NRL, its clubs and the country’s player association stating they cannot support the fixture over safety concerns.

They centre around concerns about playing the game at an altitude of over a mile above sea level, the travel involved, and the security of player contracts. Both sides would want to include players from NRL clubs in the fixture.

But Brookes (below) insists the health concerns are unfounded, while Mirror Sport understands the player insurance for the match will be greater than that for last year’s World Cup. He told Mirror Sport: “I been the chief medical officer for Great Britain and England for the last 18 years and player welfare has always been the single most important matter for me.

“I was consulted over this game and I would never have sanctioned the match from a medical viewpoint if I wasn’t satisfied that full consideration was taken for the players’ welfare – my reputation for nearly 20 years has been based around that.

“I have sanctioned the game as there is no medical or scientific evidence I can find that it would be of detriment to the players’ health.

“We have specifically asked the people in Denver whether anybody has ever suffered from altitude sickness at that ground and the answer was no.

“There have also been lengthy studies into injuries and travel and there is nothing to support whether travel increases the risk to injury. “Within the NRL I have come across players that play in State of Origin games on Wednesday and then for their clubs at weekend.

“I would consider that to be more of a risk in respect to injuries.”