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du Plessis the latest elite rugby figure to register for NHS duty

By Online Editors
(Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Jamie Roberts isn’t the only current rugby player to turn his hand and assist the UK’s National Health Service to cope with the coronavirus pandemic. Glasgow Warriors player-coach Petrus du Plessis has revealed he has also linked up with the NHS after registering to return as a respiratory physiotherapist.

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The 38-year-old South African prop recently signed a new two-year deal at Scotstoun that would see him combine playing with coaching the scrum. However, with the PRO14 season suspended, he has decided to put an old qualification to very good use and help in the fight against the virus.

Before enjoying a stellar professional career playing for Nottingham, Saracens and London Irish in England and then heading across the border to Scotland, du Plessis graduated in physiotherapy from the University of Salford in 2008 when he was playing for Sedgley Park.

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Taking to Twitter to reveal his plans, he wrote: “I’ve registered to go back to the NHS as a respiratory physiotherapist. I strongly believe it’s important to have all hands on deck to overcome this virus!”

Having received much support for his selfless act, the three-time Premiership title winner later posted a follow-up tweet containing the link for others with health qualifications sign up and give assistance. “I urge other healthcare professionals to sign up so we can kick this global pandemic into touch.”

This willingness of du Plessis to help out mirrors ex-Wales midfielder Roberts, who flew out of Cape Town on March 26 after his stint with the Stormers was halted by the rugby shutdown.

Rather than spend his time hanging around at home, the 33-year-old has since taken up a temporary role with the Cardiff and Vale health board working as a clinical innovation fellow tasked with motivational and communications duties.

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Roberts said: “I just thought how can I play my part in this challenge we are all facing? I’m sitting on a medical degree from Cardiff University. I graduated in 2013 and did a bit of research between then and now. I thought do you know what, I would love to help the cause here in Cardiff with the health board that helped me train as a doctor.”

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Bull Shark 40 minutes ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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