retirement due to injury

[lahinch_lass]

I was trying to see if there was already a thread on this topic, but I couldn't find one.

Anyhow, the latest player to be forced into retirement from rugby - Daffyd Jones former Wales & Scarlets flanker. He's staying on with scarlets to assit with their academy and community work for the rest of the season anyway.

There's been some amount of players in the last couple of months announcing their retirement due to injuries.. Might be as well to keep this thread going for all the various announcements.

Current summary of all postings:
Prop:

Gary Powell, Achilles, Wales
Ronan Mc Cormack, Neck, 33, Ireland
Robbie Morris Back, 29, Ireland
David Barnes Neck, 34, England
Nigel Hall Achilles, 32, Wales
Eduard Cotzee Head 32 France
Iestyn Thomas Neck 35 Wales
Rhys Thomas Heart 29 wales
Darragh Hurley Ireland
David Flatman Hand, 33? England


Hooker:

John Fogarty, concussion, 33 , Ireland
Steve Thompson neck, 33, England
Jerry Flannery back 33 Ireland
Lloyd Burns, neck/heart 27 Wales
Matt Cairns Ankle 34
Andy Long neck 34 England

Second row:

Richard Blaze, Foot, England
Trevor Hogan, Knee, 31 Ireland
Conor McInerney knee, 24, Wales
Peter Short Ankle, 32 England
Deniol Jones Shoulder Wales
Scott Hobson shoulder 24 england
Adam Eustace neck 32 England
Jon Pendlebury concussion 29 England


Back row:

Daffyd Jones, Shoulder, 31, Wales
David Pollock, Hip Ireland
Nathan Budgett, Ankle , 35, England
Ben Lewis, Neck, 24, Wales
Alix Popham Shoulder 31 France
Joe Worseley Neck, 34 England
Gareth Williams neck, wales
Tom Rees Knee england
John Hart Shoulder 30 England
David Wallace Knee 35 Ireland
Denis Leamy Hip 30 Ireland
Michael Lipman Head australia
Xavier Rush Neck 34 Wales
Andy Beattie Ankle, England
Lewis Moody Knee? 34 England
Pat Sanderson Shoulder 33 England
Dan Ward-Smith Back 33 England
Gerald Gambetta Shoulder 27
Craig Newby knee 33 New Zealand (playing in england)
Angus MacDonald, neck, 32, New Zealand (playing in Scotland)

Half Back:

Danny Lee, Shoulder, Wales
Conor O'Loughlin Hip, 28, Ireland
Ryan Powell neck 31 England

Back Five:

Thom Evans, neck, 24, Scotland
Mark Jones, Knee, 30, Wales
Ian Dowling, Hip, 28, Ireland
Tom Shanklin knee, 31, Wales
Barry Murphy Foot, 28? Ireland
Keith Matthews Achilles 28 Ireland
Shane Horgan knee 33 Ireland
simon danielli back Ireland
Jon Kennedy concussion 21
Richard Mustoe Pelvis, 30, Wales

[Tobyglen]

Gavin Quinnell from the same club aswell due to a stamp into his face (lost an eye). They gave him a job also.

[lahinch_lass]

From december 7th -
Cardiff Blues have been dealt a blow with the news that front row forward Gary Powell has been forced to retire through injury.</span><br style="font-weight: bold;">
Gary joined Cardiff Blues in May 2006 signing from Gloucester RFC, having previously played for Richmond RFC and Leeds Tykes.
Originally from the Rhondda, Gary was educated at Treorchy Comprehensive School and Llandovery College. He first joined Cardiff RFC in the summer of 1999 enjoying an excellent first season as a young prop and went on to play 55 games for the club. Having played all age grade rugby for his country Gary went on to play for Wales under-21 while at the Arms Park.

Since moving back to Cardiff, Gary played 80 games for the Blues, starting 55 matches and coming off the bench for 25. Gary suffered a torn achilles in the Magners League defeat against Leinster in March this year and the injury has not heeled well enough for him to play rugby.

Speaking of the announcement, Cardiff Blues CEO Robert Norster said,
"It is very unfortunate for both Gary and the Blues that injury has again struck and shortened another professional career."

"Naturally, we are sorry to lose Gary who has been a popular and affable character serving the team well, both on and off the field of play."

"On behalf of us all, I wish him and his family every success in their future lives".
Gary Powell said, "I have worked extremely hard to overcome this injury, but in the end I have been advised by my consultant that my achilles will not stand up to the demands of the rugby, which is hugely disappointing."

"I would like to thank the fans, the medical team and everyone at the Blues for their support during this difficult time. There have been huge changes since I first joined in 1999 and I wish them every success in the future."

"I have played with some great players and made many lifelong friends throughout my career."

"I would also like to say a special thanks to my family and friends, especially my father for the unfaltering support."

"From when I first started at Treherbert RFC, playing rugby has been a large part of my life for many years and will be missed massively."

"However, I have a young family and it is now time to look to the future and enjoy the next chapter of my life."

[lahinch_lass]

From November 8th -
Leinster Rugby can today announce the immediate retirements due to injury of two great servants for Leinster and Irish rugby; hooker John Fogarty (concussion) and prop Ronan McCormack (neck).</span>
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Leinster Chief Executive Mick Dawson commented: "It is regrettable that both players are retiring due to injury. Both John and Ronan are immensely popular and talented individuals who each played a significant role in Leinster's recent on-field success.

"John joined Leinster in 2008 and has been a key figure for our province since that time, with his consistent form culminating in his first Ireland call-up on this year's summer tour to New Zealand. A Heineken Cup winner, John represented Munster,

Connacht and Leinster playing 165 matches over a career which spanned a decade.

"Capped on nine occasions for Ireland 'A', Ronan was a key member of Leinster's Heineken Cup and Magners League winning sides and was a consistent contributor during the 118 matches he amassed playing for Leinster, Connacht and Ulster. Ronan too can look back on his career with enormous pride and satisfaction.

"I would like to thank both players for their outstanding commitment, professionalism and service to the game of rugby in Ireland. Everybody in Leinster Rugby wishes both John and Ronan and their families well in their future."

Name: John Fogarty
DOB: 18th October 1977
Birthplace: Cork (raised Tipperary)
Height: 1.78 m (5' 10")
Weight:102 kg (16 st 0 lb)
Position: Hooker
Club: De la Salle Palmerston
School: Rockwell College

Leinster Caps: 44 (2 tries)
Leinster 'A' Caps: 3 (v Saracens, Bristol, Munster)
British &amp; Irish Cup Caps:1 (v Plymouth Albion)

Ireland Cap: 1 (v New Zealand)
Ireland 'A' Caps: 12 (3 as captain)
Connacht Caps: 110 (83 Magners League, 27 Challenge Cup)
Munster Caps: 11

Name: Ronan McCormack
DOB: 27th April 1977
Birthplace[img]smileys/biggrin.gif[/img]ublin
Height:1.78 m (5' 10")
Weight:115 kg (18 st 0 lb)
Position: Prop
Club: UCD RFC
School: St. Mary's College, Rathmines

Leinster Caps: 52 (3 tries)
Leinster 'A' Caps:12 (v Oxford, Ulster x2, Ireland Under-20, Connacht x2, Crawshays, Munster x3, Enisei STM, Edinburgh)
British &amp; Irish Cup Caps: 5 (v Plymouth Albion, Cornish Pirates, Exeter Chiefs, Newport, Gael Force)

Ireland 'A' Caps:9
Ireland Universities Caps:12
Ireland Schools Caps:4
Leinster Under 19/20 Caps:7
Leinster Schools Caps:3
Connacht Caps: 28
Ulster Caps: 38 (32 CL, 6 HC)

[lahinch_lass]

Also from November 8th I think this was official announcement -
Glasgow Warriors winger, Thom Evans, is to retire from rugby following the neck injury he sustained whilst playing for Scotland during the 2010 RBS 6 Nations Championship.</span>

Evans collided with another player at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday 13 February and suffered a slipped vertebra in his neck.

Following the accident, the then 24-year-old received expert medical attention from members of the Millennium Stadium, Welsh Rugby Union and Scottish Rugby medical teams before undergoing two operations at the University Hospital Wales, part of the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.

On today's announcement, which comes as a result of medical advice, Evans said: "When you're told you can't play the sport you love dearly, it comes as quite a shock.

"But taking everything into account, I can still do pretty much anything. I just can't play a physical game such as rugby.
"I've been fortunate to have played six seasons at the top against some of the best players in the world. I'll have those memories for the rest of my life."

Career ending injury is a rare occurrence at the elite level of the game and although Evans's injury has seen him retire from rugby, he realises that his situation is very uncommon.

"You can ask any rugby player who has had a freak accident and they will still tell you that rugby is the best game in the world," he continued.

"Even though I can't play the game, I'll still be as enthusiastic off the pitch as I was on it."

Evans has now set his sights on achieving success via his many other talents.

He continued: "No matter what the future holds, I know I will remain a big follower of my brother Max, Glasgow Warriors and the Scotland team for the rest of my life."

Glasgow Warriors head coach, Sean Lineen, signed Evans from London Wasps in 2006 having seen the youngster run in a hat-trick of tries against Scotland whilst representing England U21.

He said: "I remember getting Thom up here after he played for England U21 and firstly realising what a great guy he is. I also saw a steely edge and a real competitiveness to his game.

"What has happened is unfortunate but it's now in the past. I know that whatever Thom does in the future, he will succeed.

"It's great we all had the chance to see Thom grace the rugby field and I am personally privileged to have coached him."
Meanwhile, Scotland head coach Andy Robinson paid tribute the winger.

"On behalf of the Scotland management and players I want to wish Thom all the very best," he said.

"Thom is a talented and resilient lad, and whatever challenges he decides to take on, he does so with our full backing and knowing that the rugby family will always be there to support and encourage him."

Scotland team doctor and Scottish Rugby's head of medical services, Dr James Robson, added: "While it is obviously poignant that Thom is retiring from the game, thanks to the skill and professionalism of all the medical professionals involved in Thom's treatment and rehabilitation - as well as his own strength in body and mind - he can now look forward to leading a full and healthy life."

Scottish Rugby president, Ian McLauchlan, said: "Thom was a great rugby player and remains a great ambassador for rugby.

"The injury he sustained is rare in rugby and when I witnessed it happen at the Millennium Stadium, I shared the concerns of many others around the world.

"As a governing body, Scottish Rugby takes player welfare extremely seriously and we do everything we can to ensure that the safety of our game is of paramount priority.

"Thom has shown great strength in character to bounce back so quickly.

"Thom has a great future ahead of him and everyone at Scottish Rugby, and the wider rugby community, is behind him every step of the way."

[lahinch_lass]

From November 16th -
Connacht's Robbie Morris retires through injury</span>

Born in Hertford on the 20th of February 1982, Robbie Morris began his rugby career at the age of 8 with his local side Hertford RFC. At the age of 18, Premiership side the Northampton Saints came calling.
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Robbie had a difficult decision to make as he had just won a silver Commonwealth Youth Games medal for discuss in Edinburgh. His choice was rewarded when he was named in the England U18 squad. He made his debut for the Saints in 2001 and went on to make 56 premiership and 17 Heineken cup appearances including reaching the Heineken cup quarterfinal in 2005. While at Northampton, Robbie was called into the England Senior squad and made his debut against Wales as a 21 year old in 2003. The 2005/6 season saw him make the switch to the Newcastle Falcons where he played with fellow Connacht forward Michael McCarthy. In two seasons with the Falcons, Robbie made 35 appearances before moving to the West of Ireland. He made his Connacht debut against South Africa in 2007 and added 39 Magners League caps and 17 European Challenge Cup games to his Connacht tally before being forced into retirement in 2010 through a back injury.

Robbie on career highlights:
"I've played a lot of big games over the 10 years and it's impossible to pick a best moment but getting my first cap against Wales (in2003) in Cardiff was huge moment in my career, playing in front of a full house at Twickenham, playing the likes of Toulouse and Biarritz in the Heineken cup for Northampton and the Amlin Challenge Cup semi-final last year against Toulon, they're all big occasions to look back on.

"Rugby is a very physical game now, when I first became a professional rugby player the front rows role it was a very different , it was more about scrummaging, lineouts, mauling and maybe getting in a few cheap shots in than carrying the ball and making tackles , the props that did do a bit around the field were the ones who really stood out, the likes of Phil Vickery, Trevor Woodman and Tom Smith, but if you look at today's players they are expected to these things as standard"

Robbie on coaches:
"I've played with and against some great players, and been coached by some great coaches as well, Wayne Smith was a big influence in Northampton, not just on me but on coaching in England as well, the stuff he brought over from New Zealand influenced everyone, even the England set-up at the time were taking stuff from him"

"I was brought into the Newcastle team by Rob Andrews and got on really well under that setup but after 2 seasons there I felt it was time for a new challenge, I'd been playing in the Premiership for 6 years and was playing with Macca (Michael McCarthy) who was moving to Connacht and heard great things from Damien Browne (brother of Connacht lock Andrew) who I'd played with in Northampton so when Michael Bradley offered me the opportunity to join the squad I jumped at it"

Robbie on now and the future:
"I've always tried to help out the younger players and since I've been injured I've had more time to dedicate to going through the analysis, watch them at training, and offering advice where it's needed. Dan McFarland's a very knowledgeable forwards coach so I liaise with him and help out where I can. There's some great young props coming through, the likes of Brett Wilkinson and Hago (Jamie Hagan) who've had a taste of the Irish squad and hopefully they'll go on to get full caps and carry on from there"

"It's too soon to decide what I'm going to do for the future but I'm enjoying coaching at the moment. I'm involved with Galwegians U21's side and I enjoy being around the Connacht team and helping them out so I think no matter what I end up doing I will stay involved with rugby, be that as a full time coach or even just helping out at club level"
Robbie on the injury that forced him to retire:

"It's not just one thing, it's a build up of a number of lower back probl

[lahinch_lass]

From Nov 23rd -
Ulster Rugby today confirmed that David Pollock has decided to retire from rugby due to a hip injury which has plagued the back row forward for the past 18 months</span><br style="font-weight: bold;">
Omagh born and a product of the Royal School Dungannon, David graduated from the Ulster Academy, to sign a development contract in October 2006.

His dedication, work ethos and all-round ability were recognised when he upgraded to a full contract ahead of the start of the 2007-08 season off the back of a truly exceptional 18 months which saw him captain both Ireland U19s and U21s in their respective IRB World Championship in 2006 before leading Ireland U20s to an unprecedented Grand Slam and Six Nations double in 2007.

David who has five Ireland A caps, made his Ulster debut as a replacement against the Ospreys in 2007 and won 45 caps for Ulster during his short career, captaining the side for the first time, against Portugal in a friendly in November 2008
Pollock, who was two years into a medical degree when he was offered a full contract will return to full-time study at Queens' University. He said;

"It is with great sadness that I announce my early retirement from rugby. Whilst it was always my intention to resume my studies at Queens, I never intended it to be quite so soon. My hip injury, however, has not resolved and I have been advised I am no longer able to achieve the level of fitness required to play professional rugby."

"I count myself very fortunate to have represented Ulster at every level from schoolboy to senior team and leading out Ulster in the Heineken Cup against Stade Francais in Paris was one of the most proudest moments of my rugby career."

"Rugby with Ulster has afforded me the privilege to play with and against many great players; whilst doing so I have forged friendships and acquired memories that I will treasure for a long time to come.

I will miss playing rugby and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who have helped me throughout my career from my years at RSD to the present day. I will especially miss the warm reception that we, the players, get at Ravenhill from the best set of supporters in the Magners League."

"I wish the team well for the rest of the season and in the years ahead. I will be cheering them on from the promenade."

On the news of David's decision, Operations Director David Humphreys commented

"Ear-marked from an early age as a future Ulster captain, David's injury problems in recent years means that we only saw glimpses of his talent in the Ulster shirt. His retirement is a huge loss for Ulster Rugby but fortunately for David, he has a long-term future mapped out in the medical profession and a new challenge awaits him away from

[lahinch_lass]

From Nov 30th -
Newport Gwent Dragons scrum half Danny Lee has been forced to retire from rugby due to an ongoing shoulder problem.</span>

Everyone at the Dragons would like to wish Danny and his family best wishes for the future.

[lahinch_lass]

Those pieces were all from the magners league official website.. I just did a quick trawl through their November &amp; december archives as I knew there's been a whole slew of retirements recently, but I hadn't realised quite how many in such a short timeframe.

[peatbog]

Trevor Hoganmight following his brother Ray into premature retirement i've been told.

[Tobyglen]

Pretty frightening really. You would imagine things will only get worse. Maybe the only way to stop this trend is to get serious with dangerous tackling. How Xavier Rush got 1 week for his tackle on Courtney Lawes beggars belief. Saying that most of those injuries above are probably unavoidable because rugby is a very physical game.

[McCloud]

That is some frightening list when you see it all in one place[img]smileys/shock.gif[/img]

[Waterfordlad]

[img]smileys/shock.gif[/img]

[Speedy]

Richard Blaze announces rugby retirement</span>

20 October 2010, 5:45 pm

Leicester Tigers forward Richard Blaze has been forced to announce his retirement from professional rugby due to injury.
51Share
After playing for Moseley and Worcester Warriors, Blaze joined Tigers in the summer of 2007 and made his debut in a victory at Bristol on the opening day of the 2007/08 season.

An England age-group international at Under-19 and Under-21 level, he joined the England Saxons squad in 2007, playing in the victorious Churchill Cup campaign.

Blaze ended his first season at Welford Road with an appearance in the 2008 Guinness Premiership Final and won a second Churchill Cup with the Saxons that summer.

A stress fracture of the foot counted him out of much of the 2008/09 season but Blaze returned for the start of 2009/10, training with the senior England squad ahead of the autumn internationals before the injury struck again.

He made his final playing appearance for Tigers at London Irish in October 2009.

Blaze said: "It's a massively disappointing moment when you get to the stage where you have to say you cannot play again. I've enjoyed my rugby through schools and age-groups, then into the professional game and I was really looking to push on when I came to Leicester.

"I've worked hard to come back from the injury but in the end I've been advised that the stress fracture is not going to stand up to the demands of a full-time career and reluctantly announced my retirement.

"I love the game of rugby and I'd like to thank the medical staff and the strength and conditioning staff, especially Julie Hayton and Andy Shelton, for their help at Leicester and for their great support. But now I will have to move on and make decisions about my future.

"I wish everyone at Tigers all the best for the rest of the season and hope they can enjoy some success."

Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill said: "It's extremely disappointing when a player has to retire prematurely, especially so young. We signed Richard because he was a young player we could see developing well within our environment and he made a good impression here on and off the field.

"It is a great pity that injuries stood in his way and we all feel for him now that he is unable to continue. He is a big loss to Leicester Tigers and also to England as he has been brought through the international ranks from the age-groups to the verge of the senior squad.

"On behalf of everyone at Leicester Tigers, I'd like to wish him well for the future."

[Speedy]

<div ="fullc&#111;ntent fullfooter"> </div>




<div ="clearing-div"></div>







<div style="font-weight: bold;" ="articleer">Welsh winger forced into retirement </div>


Wednesday 4 August 2010</span>

Wales winger Mark Jones has failed to recover from his third major knee injury and retired from rugby.


Jones was hurt while training with Wales last November, and the
30-year-old announced on Tuesday he was ending his playing career to
become a skills coach for his Scarlets club.


He represented Wales from 2001-09, highlighted by the 2008 Six Nations Grand Slam.


He didn't play for Wales after the 2003 World Cup until the 2006 Six
Nations, during which he had reconstructive surgery on both knees.


He scored 13 tries in his 47 caps.


"Ultimately the decision has been made for me and I have to retire from the game," he said.


"It does feel as though it has come a little prematurely and I was hitting some decent form last season before the injury."

[Charco]

I'd forgotten about Jones, always thought he was a top player.

Jackman is another to add to the list.

[motastic]

Unbelievable thread. Reconstructive surgery on BOTH knees. What these boys put themselves through.
Out of interest, say a Munster player has to retire prematurely due to injury. Do the players/club heavily insure themselves against such an eventuality? Are there Support Networks put in place by Munster to help the player's transition back into the "real world"?

[LeakyBoots]

How long before someone like Flannery goes on this list? I remember reading a stat about the size of second rows now compared to 30 years ago, frightening

[RED 49]

Was watching programme the other night and they said 4 concussions
during a rugby or sports career could lead to massive probs in later
life,when was last time Irish player sat out mandatory time off for this
injury,it will come back to haunt players in later life [img]smileys/sad.gif[/img]

[Tobyglen]

You would hope these guys don't suffer any chronic pain injuries post their rugby careers. It's phenomenal what these guys put their bodies through.

Check out this article

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/a...3080833/Richie -McCaws-burning-desire

[Sea_point]

<S&#079;NG>You would hope these guys don't suffer any chronic pain injuries post their rugby careers. It's phenomenal what these guys put their bodies through.</S&#079;NG>

Amen to that TG, it's sport not war and a huge increase debilitating injuries in the pro eraare an awful price to pay for someone elses entertainment...

[bruffian]

<S&#079;NG>You would hope these guys don't suffer any chronic pain injuries post their rugby careers. It's phenomenal what these guys put their bodies through.</S&#079;NG>

Amen to that TG, it's sport not war and a huge increase debilitating injuries in the pro eraare an awful price to pay for someone elses entertainment...

Even the lads that do suffer chronic pain later on,probably wouldnt change anything.


They know it dangerous and they go out there anyway,because they love the game and in many cases get paid well for it.

[Tobyglen]

<s&#079;ng>You would hope these guys don't suffer any chronic pain injuries post their rugby careers. It's phenomenal what these guys put their bodies through.</s&#079;ng>

Amen to that TG, it's sport not war and a huge increase debilitating injuries in the pro eraare an awful price to pay for someone elses entertainment...

Even the lads that do suffer chronic pain later on,probably wouldnt change anything.


They know it dangerous and they go out there anyway,because they love the game and in many cases get paid well for it.

I wouldn't be too sure about that. It's all fine saying that but it's about having a decent standard of life. Unfortunately some of these guys will suffer terribly in years to come.

[garryowen2323]

You would hope these guys don't suffer any chronic pain injuries post their rugby careers. It's phenomenal what these guys put their bodies through.

Check out this article

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/3080833/Richie -McCaws-burning-desire

Incase people are too lazy to click into TG's link to a very good article, I found this to be unreal:


LET'S GET PHYSICAL


The All Blacks' physical training schedule in the buildup to the England test:


Sunday: Seven hours' travel Milan to London. Pool recovery session and massage.


Monday: Recovery session – games, skills, competition and fun (one hour). Gym session – whole body (all players must complete on Monday or Tuesday unless injured).


Tuesday: Team training (120 minutes depending on workloads). Gym session – strength session.


Wednesday: Day off. Some players have media and sponsors commitments. Massage night.


Thursday: Sharp team training – 20-minute warmup, 60 minutes team, 20 minutes skills. Rests between exercises to maximise explosiveness. Gym – power session. Short length, 30-60 per cent of maximum weight moved as quickly as possible.


Friday: Gym – strength, stretch or "primer". Captain's run, haka practice.


Saturday: Optional light exercise. Walk-through five hours before kickoff.

[lahinch_lass]

I know I've seen the odd piece about some of what the older retired players are going through in terms of chronic pain. AFAIK Paul Wallace was one of the players referenced in the last article I saw on the topic and he isn't that long into retirement.

The 2 big issues post playing seem to be early onset of arthritis and the concussions research has been suggesting a higher risk of alzheimers in later life. That concussions research has come primarily from the American Football research, I've seen a few industry pieces on that research as they're trying to come up with a helmet design that will help to reduce the incidences of concussion and my employer has some involvement in the tech research.

Guys, it does look bad when seen in one place but in reality
look at how many big names down the years have ended
their careers this way? Bill Beaumont and Mervyn Davies,
Trevor Ringland, Paul Dean, Simon Geoghegan, I'm sure
we could find more if we looked.

That's one difference, now it's all reported. 20 years ago
I'd never have heard that Daffyd Jones had retired through
injury, now it's on the BBC site.

Another thing to bear in mind when looking at the sizes of
locks - as one person quoted - is natural development.
These guys are professionals not amateurs, like they were
20 years ago, of course they're going to be bigger. Also
they're training is planned to a degree that maximises their
physical development. BUT, don't forget there were guys
like Maurice Colclough in the early 80s who was 6'5 and
17st9. That's the same size as DOC, POC, MOD etc.
Gordon Brown nearly 40 years ago was 6'5 and 17stone
(and his career ended through a series of injuries). As I've
said in answer to this constant thing on here that every
team has a massive lock in it, actually they don't. The
average now is the top end of the range 20-30 years ago
BUT that's not actually that unexpected.

The difference is the power/fitness levels, but then these
guys aren't running into players with fitness levels of 20-30
years ago either.

Realistically contact injuries and wear and tear retirements
have been part of rugby for decades.

The one that deserves attention is concussion and in
particular how many times you hear it mentioned but how
few times you see players sitting out their medical ban for
it.

[Tobyglen]

EO that's completely overlooking the severity of the collisions nowadays. Bodies aren't designed to take those huge impacts. Players are dropping at a worrying rate and it will get worse. Just look at our injury list POC hasn't started a game in a year. Flannery is in chronic pain with his back/Calf. The injury lists are getting longer as each season progresses. Horan, Quinnie, Baz Murphy, Jones, Earls, Leamy just back after a year out, Dowling, Fogs.

[The Outlaw]

You would
hope these guys don't suffer any chronic pain injuries post
their rugby careers. It's phenomenal what these guys put
their bodies through.Check out this
article<a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-
<br / target="_blank">blacks/3080833/Richie-McCaws-burning-
desire">http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-
blacks/3080833/Richie -McCaws-burning-desire</a>

Incase people are too lazy to click into TG's link to a
very good article, I found this to be unreal:


LET'S GET PHYSICAL


The All Blacks' physical training schedule in the buildup
to the England test:


Sunday: Seven hours' travel Milan to London. Pool
recovery session and massage.


Monday: Recovery session – games, skills, competition
and fun (one hour). Gym session – whole body (all players
must complete on Monday or Tuesday unless injured).


Tuesday: Team training (120 minutes depending on
workloads). Gym session – strength session.


Wednesday: Day off. Some players have media and
sponsors commitments. Massage night.


Thursday: Sharp team training – 20-minute warmup, 60
minutes team, 20 minutes skills. Rests between exercises
to maximise explosiveness. Gym – power session. Short
length, 30-60 per cent of maximum weight moved as
quickly as possible.


Friday: Gym – strength, stretch or "primer". Captain's
run, haka practice.


Saturday: Optional light exercise. Walk-through five
hours before kickoff.

Dont buy that routine. Sounds like another propaganda PR
release from the All Blacks

[skinnyryan]

Seems like he is getting his life back on track best of luck Thom.


Thom Evans getting on with life after premature retirement</font>
Thursday, January 06, 2011

In February last year, Scotland wing Thom Evans suffered a horrific injury that left him paralysed temporarily, unable to ever play rugby again. While it’s meant a massive change in his life, the 25 year old is looking ahead to a bright future.

The injury took place during the classic Six Nations game between Wales and Scotland at the Millennium Stadium that ended with a last gasp try for Wales, shattering the hearts of all Scottish fans in many cases, neutrals too.

For Thom though, what happened on that day was far more serious. He sustained a severe neck injury that led to him officially announcing his retirement from rugby in November. He’s since spoken about the incident, stating that it felt as though someone was stabbing him in the back, turning the knife, time and time again.

Waves of pain followed after the slipped vertebra from his collision left him with no sensation in his body. "It was like I was in a dream. I knew I was paralysed and then the fear started to set in. I knew immediately I was in real trouble," he said.

"I thought I would die right there on the grass wearing my Scotland shirt, or at least be spending the rest of my life in a wheelchair. For three minutes I lay on the turf as scared as I ever will be in my life."

Shortly after, feeling returned and Thom felt a surging pain that had him pleading with the paramedics on the scene. James Robson, the Scotland and British & Irish Lions team doctor, said that in over 20 years of international sport, that was the worst on-field incident he had to deal with.

When injuries like that occur, how they are treated over the next few minutes can be vital. Any incorrect movement in the wrong direction could lead to serious paralysis.

Two intense operations followed.

"The surgeon pointed to my neck where he was going to make the first incision and explained my back was so badly damaged that they had to cut me from the front where my vocal cords were. They would hang them to one side and move my spine back into place through the front of my body," he explained.

The second op was to strengthen his neck, where metal rods were inserted to fuse part of his spine. Both were successful procedures and while Evans had retained hope of getting fit and playing again, it was soon advised that the wise choice was to pursue something else.

"My walk back home from the hospital when I got that news was one of the longest, most depressing walks I have ever made," he said.

He now has other goals as a career in athletics, golf, and even a return to his on stage days, could follow. While retirement from rugby was a tough pill to swallow, he appreciates that things could have turned out a whole lot worse for him on that fateful day. We wish him all the best.

[Rabb1tts Jump]

You would

hope these guys don't suffer any chronic pain injuries post

their rugby careers. It's phenomenal what these guys put

their bodies through.Check out this

article<a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-%0D%3Cbr%20/%20target=" _blank="" target="_blank">blacks/3080833/Richie-McCaws-burning-

desire"&gt;http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-

blacks/3080833/Richie -McCaws-burning-desire</a>

Incase people are too lazy to click into TG's link to a

very good article, I found this to be unreal:



LET'S GET PHYSICAL



The All Blacks' physical training schedule in the buildup

to the England test:



Sunday: Seven hours' travel Milan to London. Pool

recovery session and massage.



Monday: Recovery session – games, skills, competition

and fun (one hour). Gym session – whole body (all players

must complete on Monday or Tuesday unless injured).



Tuesday: Team training (120 minutes depending on

workloads). Gym session – strength session.



Wednesday: Day off. Some players have media and

sponsors commitments. Massage night.



Thursday: Sharp team training – 20-minute warmup, 60

minutes team, 20 minutes skills. Rests between exercises

to maximise explosiveness. Gym – power session. Short

length, 30-60 per cent of maximum weight moved as

quickly as possible.



Friday: Gym – strength, stretch or "primer". Captain's

run, haka practice.



Saturday: Optional light exercise. Walk-through five

hours before kickoff.

Dont buy that routine. Sounds like another propaganda PR

release from the All Blacks

Eh? It isn't that unusual. If they were athletes, they'd being doing a lot more, although probably not that close to competition.

Roughly, over a week 2 and a half proper gym sessions. One stretching session. Three rugby sessions, and one messing about session. And a bit of light exercise thrown on top of all that. Nothing major there to be honest.