Coach expected to make ‘full recovery’ after heart attack
WIGAN forward Macauley Davies has been forced to retire with immediate effect on medical grounds following the discovery of a brain condition.
Scans revealed the 22-year-old has chiari alformation, a condition where the lower part of the brain pushes down into the spinal canal.
The pre-existing condition was discovered when the Wigan St Judes junior was sent to see a specialist as part of the return-to-play head injury protocols after sustaining a concussion while playing on dual registration for Championship club Swinton.
Wigan executive director, Kris Radlinski, said: “We are all desperately sorry for Macauley.
“He has been a pleasure to work with, deeply committed to represent his home-town team. To have his dreams ruined is heartbreaking for him and his family.
“We are very lucky to have Steve McCormack as our welfare manager and he will become so important in Macauley’s life as we guide and support him on another career path. DUAL-CODE coach Clive Griffiths is recovering after suffering a heart attack, his current club Doncaster Knights have announced.
The Welshman, 64, was taken ill while out jogging on Friday but is expected to make a full recovery.
Griffiths was Wales’ assistant coach when they won the Grand Slam in 2005.
He is currently director of rugby at Championship side Doncaster, where he is in his second spell, having also led Worcester Warriors.
In rugby league, he coached the Wales national team for nine years and was also in charge of the North Wales Crusaders.
He was also a dual-code Wales international as a player after representing Llanelli, St Helens and Salford.
A statement from the Knights read: “Doncaster RFC (Doncaster Knights) can now confirm that director of rugby, Clive Griffiths “Life after sport is inevitable for all players but it is sad when something like this happens to a player at the start of his journey. “Macauley is a strong individual and I have no doubt that he will go on to be successful in another field.” Davies, who made his one and only Super League appearance against Wakefield in July 2016, said: “The past three weeks have been the toughest three weeks of my life. “From getting a serious concussion and having brain scans, my whole world has been turned upside down in what feels like just a few minutes. “To be told your dreams of playing rugby league since a little boy are over is the hardest thing I have ever had to hear and to have to make a decision if I want to take a risk and carry on with my dream or to finish it is truly heartbreaking. “For me the risks are too high and I have no choice – I have to accept that my health and life are more important than continuing to play.” For me the risks are too high and I have no choice. I have to accept that my health and my life are more important suffered a suspected heart attack whilst out jogging on Friday evening.
“Clive is currently undergoing tests in Doncaster Royal Infirmary, but is expected to make a full recovery.”
Meanwhile, Jackson Hastings has not played his last game for Salford, but will be missing for the upcoming trips to Leeds Rhinos and London after receiving a red card during the victory over Toronto at the weekend.
The half-back was dismissed by Robert Hicks in the dying seconds of the clash with the Wolfpack for a high tackle on former Red Devils full-back Gareth O’Brien.
Hastings has been handed a two-match penalty notice by the RFL’s Match Review Panel for the Grade C offence, meaning he will be available for the final Qualifiers match at home against Toulouse Olympique when they meet on September 30.