'A lot of members I speak to will say 'don't change the game, don't make it less physical'
A planned lawsuit by former players suffering from early onset dementia could be the catalyst for further measures to protect current professionals being accelerated, according to an official at the Rugby Players Association.
A group of what is now understood to be 10 former players is set to launch an action against World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union.
Among them is Steve Thompson, 42, a World Cup winner with England in 2003 who now says he has no recollection of playing in that competition.
Christian Day, who joined Northampton a year after Thompson had left the club, now works as a player liaison officer at the RPA.
He believes great strides have already been taken since Thompson’s playing days but admits the game “can’t sit still”.
“We have to continue to innovate and look for ways to keep the essence of rugby the same, that’s so, so important,” he told the PA news agency.
“A lot of members I speak to will say ‘don’t change the game, don’t make it less physical, that’s what I’m good at, that’s rugby’, but can we make elements of the game that are currently dangerous safer? That’s the magic question and what so much work is going towards.
“And I just wonder whether this lawsuit might be the catalyst for some rapid changes in certain areas that perhaps wouldn’t otherwise happen.”
Day says measures to limit in-game concussions and placing an upper limit on the amount of contact training is “low-hanging fruit” that could be introduced quite quickly.
“The high tackle framework was brought in about 12 months ago to quite some derision from some corners of past players and the media, who said it was making the game soft. I think that’s a term that needs to be firmly put in the bin.
“The game isn’t soft and rugby will never be soft, but we need to move away from the idea that hitting people in the head is something that we should tolerate.
“The high tackle framework has made some difference but there will now probably be calls that it should go further.”
The lawsuit calls for a limit on the amount of contact training, and Day agrees.
“You could have players being exposed to countless contacts in a training session, which will never fully be recognised or picked up the way they would in a game,” he said.
“So my personal take is that regulation of the amount of contact that players can do is a positive step for the game, and it’s something I suspect will now be accelerated as a result of this lawsuit.”
Day accepted better player aftercare, one of the ’15 commandments’ set out by the former players’ legal team, was required.
“Our charity Restart does some amazing work, but they tend to be for players who experience terrible injuries or who fall into real times of hardship,” he said.
What a sad state of affairs. https://t.co/GwD5oA8olf
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 10, 2020
“Maybe the point is, do we need something to pick up underneath that grade of hardship? The answer probably is yes. The question again then comes, who’s going to fund that?”
Exeter boss Rob Baxter has made a robust defence of rugby union’s concussion measures and claims there is “little value” in comparing the issue now with historic cases in the sport.
“I’m not quite sure how many more (safety measures) we can put in because of how much is done around concussion now,” he said.
“…I think people are being a little disingenuous if they’re not prepared to say about the huge steps we’ve already taken.”
Rob Baxter has launched a staunch defence of rugby's concussion protocols. https://t.co/Uq5ExYaybh
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 10, 2020
“People don’t realise that you are likely to fail a HIA (head injury assessment) without having any head injury at all.
“That’s how hard it is to pass. To get back on a field you have to be feeling well and cognitively bang on – you’ll be asked something you don’t know.
“We are a very good sport at jumping on something and creating something huge.
“There’s no reason not to have discussions about this. But I think people are being a little disingenuous if they’re not prepared to say about the huge steps we’ve already taken.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Just such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
4 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
4 Go to comments