Midlands club rugby left reeling as onfield tragedy strikes
Rugby union in England is today mourning the tragic loss of 27-year-old Evesham RFC winger Jack Jeffery.
The prolific try scorer was badly injured in the act of scoring during his club’s Midlands Two West (South) away game at Warwickshire’s Balsall & Berkswell.
After being rushed to Coventry’s University Hospital Walsgrave, reports suggest that Jeffery passed away while undergoing emergency surgery.
Worcestershire-based Evesham issued a statement on the club’s website this morning under the headlines: ‘Today we are at half-mast’ and ‘Too good even for the All Blacks‘ – the club’s nickname.
“It is with immeasurable sadness that we have to report the tragic loss of our beloved Jack Jeffery following our Seniors League fixture at Berkswell & Balsall yesterday 12th February.”
“Jack was adding another try to his phenomenal record and during the act and subsequent challenge of scoring he was injured.
“He was taken to Walsgrave Hospital where he tragically lost his fight.
“A more committed, loyal ‘Clubman’ is hard to find. He would often return from London for training and was always at the heart of club activities.
“He served his club, his teammates and the county with distinction and provided much satisfaction to the club supporters in knowing exactly where the whitewash was.
“As a club, we have been overwhelmed by the messages of support and goodwill from the rugby community. Jack was calm, respected and highly thought of.
“Our club and community have lost such a bright light.
“On behalf of Evesham Rugby, I thank everyone whom supported Jack in his moment of need yesterday and for all the messages of support I have received from other clubs and the North Mids Union.
“As a mark of respect our club is closed today. We fly at half-mast. Please take a moment today in your prayers and take your moment of silence for Jack, his family, loved ones and friends.”
According to BBC Hereford and Worcester Jack’s father Glenn said his son died “doing what he loved the most, playing rugby.”
It quotes Glenn Jeffery’s statement from Facebook: “It is with great sadness that I need to let you know we lost our beloved son Jack yesterday.”
He described him as the “most kind hearted, generous and beautiful son who enriched the lives of everyone who was lucky to know and have met him”.
“He will be so missed by his family and friends,” he said.
The messages of support include Jeffery’s former schoolmate and club colleague Elliott Stooke who now plays in the second row for Wasps.
“Thoughts are with the family of Jack Jeffery and everyone at EveshamRFC this morning. An old school colleague and team mate of mine. #RIP”
Thoughts are with the family of jack Jeffery and everyone @EveshamRFC this morning. An old school colleague and team mate of mine. #RIP
— Elliott Stooke (@elliottstooke) February 13, 2022
Jimmy Gopperth is another Wasp with strong Midlands junior rugby connections after spending five years as head coach at Evesham’s league rivals Nuneaton Old Edwardians.
Tragic news coming from a local game yesterday, condolences with Jacks family,friends and all the ?@EveshamRFC? ?? https://t.co/gd7fgybMWN
— jimmy gopperth (@jimmygopps) February 13, 2022
Jeffery had represented North Midlands in the County Championship and they have been quick to add to the tributes.
“It is with immeasurable sadness that we have to report the tragic loss of North Midlands player Jack Jeffery from Evesham Rugby Club yesterday 12th February 2022.
“The whole of North Mids sends their sincere condolences to all those who knew Jack and affected by this tragic loss.”
It is with immeasurable sadness that we have to report the tragic loss of North Midlands player Jack Jeffery from Evesham Rugby Club yesterday 12th February 2022. The whole of North Mids sends their sincere condolences to all those who knew Jack and affected by this tragic loss. pic.twitter.com/zF1cWBBN0B
— North Midlands RFU (@NorthMidsRFU) February 13, 2022
And the sport’s governing body in England have also paid their respects.
On behalf of everyone at the RFU, we extend our heartfelt sympathies to the family and friends of Jack Jeffery who tragically died yesterday. The thoughts of everyone in the game are with @EveshamRFC, their players, members and the wider rugby community.https://t.co/t11btEPw6z
— Rugby Football Union (@RFU) February 13, 2022
Evesham’s local Gallagher Premiership club Worcester Warriors also passed on their best wishes.
? The thoughts of all at Sixways are with the family, friends and team-mates of @EveshamRFC player Jack Jeffery who tragically lost his life after yesterday's match at Berkswell & Balsall.https://t.co/27tZJxcDSw pic.twitter.com/12gu0gwh4d
— Worcester Warriors (@WorcsWarriors) February 13, 2022
And Worcester RFC Chairman Steve Lloyd summed up the sentiments of Midlands clubs perfectly.
“All at Worcester RFC offer thoughts, prayers, love and heartfelt condolences in honour of Jack Jeffery, his family and friends and all at Evesham RFC.
“We stand with you and are here to call on if ever needed. Shocking heartbreaking news. RIP Jack.” 💔💔
Comments on RugbyPass
Very unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust 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.
5 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 comments