Former Newport-Gwent Dragons Lock/Flanker Hoani MacDonald, age 34, suffered a suspected Heart Attack playing for Southland in the ITM Cup in New Zealand, the former NZ junior and Maori is said to be stable but in an induced Coma
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2...180647,00.html
Ben Blair, 33, Knee injury , Agen(France)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/20093317
What a player he was for the Blues!Originally Posted by PEATB0G
From Rabo site:
Cardiff Blues have received news that 30-year-old Wales sevens international Richard Mustoe has been forced to retire due to a chronic pelvis injury sustained playing for the region against Treviso earlier this year.
Mustoe started his career at Bridgend RFC before the formation of the Celtic Warriors.
Following the demise of the team Mustoe moved to the Ospreys and had a season long loan spell with the Dragons.
He joined the Cardiff Blues with fellow wing Aled Brew in the Spring of 2008 and scored a hat trick of tries on his debut for the Blues against the Combined Blues Regional Premiership team in August 2008, at Sardis Road
A player that always gave 100% Mustoe's speed and strength always proved dangerous to the opposition with the winger proving a clinical finisher.
Speaking of the decision Mustoe said,
"Playing for the Blues was one of the highlights of my career and I will always be grateful for having the opportunity to represent the region and for the level of support they have shown during my time with them as a player, especially during this recent injury.
"It has been difficult being forced to finish through injury. I've always enjoyed playing rugby, regardless of whether I was a professional or not. I would have continued for as long as possible.
"Fortunately I've been kept busy relocating my business Porthcawl Funeral Services from South Road to New Road Porthcawl which has certainly given me something to focus on."
Looking ahead to the future, Richard looks to spend more time concentrating on the success of his business, which up until now he had run alongside being a full time rugby professional.
"Although I have been full time as rugby professional I have also continued with my career as a funeral director."
"So as far as a career after rugby it was always my intention to continue as an undertaker full time, just maybe not as early as this."
"Through Richard Webster, I have had the opportunity to do some coaching with Maesteg RFC an I am working towards attaining a WRU level 3 coaching award.
"I've enjoyed the experience so far, especially working with Richard Webster, who had a big impact early on in my playing career."
Plato: \"One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.\"
So of the last 3 that's a 30 year old and two guys in mid 30s, as I've said before, whilst it's not good these guys are retiring due to injury this isn't the epidemic of youngsters crashing out of the game that this thread originally sparked discussion around. Players in their 30s take longer to heal, sometimes never properly heal. Are we just not getting the news of the youngsters cos if it's not happening then this isn't actually any different to what has always happened.
\"A million monkeys with a million crayons would be hard-pressed in a million years to create anything as cretinous as Battlefield Earth.\"
you could also argue players are better looked after then ever before and its still to no avail
Connacht Rugby
"Live to win. Born to lose"
you can't look after certain things, like the fact that the older you get the harder it is to heal some types of injuries. Also that you have time, a 22 year old can lose a year and come back and 32 year old can lose a year but the chances are they could be out touch far more by then.
\"A million monkeys with a million crayons would be hard-pressed in a million years to create anything as cretinous as Battlefield Earth.\"
Or you could argue that the level of care has only moved at the same pace as the physicality of the sport, assuming the stats show roughly the same amount of retirees.
I'd make the point the majority of retirement announcements tend to come at the back end of the season when the players have been to see every specialist under the sun before finally calling it quits .. like Fla, Dowling & Wally did. Early in the season retirements aren't all that common unless it's something very obviously career ending.
Plato: \"One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.\"
Hendre Fourie has retired due to a shoulder injury. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/20898424
"Now, Say my name?"
"You're Heisenberg."
"You're Goddamn Right."
Scarlets and Wales fullback Morgan Stoddart has announced that he will retire from rugby following the serious leg double fracture he sustained playing for Wales against England in August 2011.
Stoddart has been unable to make a full recovery since sustaining the injury before the 2011 Rugby World Cup, and which subsequently kept him out of the game for the whole of last season.
Stoddart, 28, who has appeared 85 times in a Scarlets shirt and scored 130 points for his regional club has been one of the Scarlets’ most prolific back three players with spells on the wing as well as his favoured fullback position.
Last edited by lahinch_lass; 7th-January-2013 at 14:04. Reason: retired at 28, but injured at 26 ..
Plato: \"One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.\"
And, although he has 9 full caps for England plus 1 for the Saxons, now the Brits won't let him remain in the country.
http://www.espnscrum.com/premiership...ry/175377.html
What a bloody scandal. Brit-hating thugs like Gerry Adams are allowed to be Brits and scum-sucking Islamist fanatics like Abu Quatada are allowed to remain in the UK at the taxpayers' expense, but Hendre must leave.
That is completely insane although I might possibly be getting the wooden spoon out in the pub this weekend!!!
It really sounds like bad management by Hendre or his agent on procuring the correct visa/paperwork, am sure the RFU will ride to the rescue if asked, he has been in the UK for 8 years, probably a lot deeper than the report.
It's sparked an extensive discussion on Twitter around the IRB eligibility terms.
Plato: \"One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.\"
It is a scandal, I'd agree. He'd be entitled to citizenship here. Were I to be cynically opportunist (the heavens forfend, I hear you cry!), I might point out it's not going to hurt the recruitment of Kolpak players for Irish teams, while it won't help that of the AP at all.
Vorsprung durch Pfennig.
No link between the two at all. One's a sporting regulation, one's legal status as regards rights of residence.
Vorsprung durch Pfennig.
Stoddard was heavily involved in this wonderful try. Shame he's had to retire so early.
Thanks for the reminder. Just deactivated my Twitter account
Indeed, but there were people on twitter who weren't aware that citizenship/residency is not a requirement for a rugby player to be selected for a national team .. so the discussion branched accordingly.
Plato: \"One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.\"
Is it not equally raising a question that if you want to represent a country you might want to apply for citizenship of it as well rather than just play for it while retaining a totally different nationality?
\"A million monkeys with a million crayons would be hard-pressed in a million years to create anything as cretinous as Battlefield Earth.\"
Ryan Jones, Gray, Dan Cole and Rory Best all have the same citizenship.
Vorsprung durch Pfennig.
i.e. the relevant one for the nation they are playing for, it doesn't matter that it is the same one as England, Scotland, Wales and (due to dual nature) Ireland use the same citizens.
\"A million monkeys with a million crayons would be hard-pressed in a million years to create anything as cretinous as Battlefield Earth.\"
It is with regret that Glasgow Warriors announce that back-row forward, the former All Black, Angus MacDonald, is to retire from rugby. MacDonald, who joined the Warriors in the summer prior to the 2012/13 season on a two year deal, has a serious neck injury, which has not yet resolved.
MacDonald said: “It’s a decision every pro athlete has to make at some point and it's one that has come a little earlier than I would have liked due to the nature of the injury. It would have been nice to have played for a few more years but it’s come to the point where the injury is affecting me day to day with my mobility and everyday life so I’ve taken the decision that will give me the best chance of a full recovery.
“I’m gutted that I’ve not been able to pull on the jersey more often for the Warriors but I’d like to thank for the club and Scottish Rugby for the opportunity to play here.
“I’m very thankful to have had the career I’ve had and to have been able to keep playing until I’m 32. I’ve played for some great teams and met some great people and had good fun along the way so there are moments that I’ll treasure.
“I’m going to head back to New Zealand for a few months as I’ve been away from the country for five years but I’ve no doubt I’ll come back and cheer on the boys at Scotstoun in the not too distant future.”
MacDonald made four appearances for the Warriors, with just one start, against Zebre in September.
Gregor Townsend, Glasgow Warriors head coach, said: ““I’d like to thank Angus for his time here at Scotstoun. It’s obviously been a difficult time for him with his neck injury and we never really got to see the best of him, but throughout his time here he has been nothing but a true professional.
“He’s a popular member of the playing squad and the fans appreciate his time and effort off the field so it’s sad to see Angus have to make this decision but we wish him all the best for the future."
Plato: \"One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.\"
Former England Hooker Lee Mears retires with immediate affect due to abnormality discovered during Cardiac Srceening
Juan Smith a goner too.
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2...494207,00.html
...and Mr. Crow comes on for Mr. Magpie.
Fine player- unfortunate
Has this got any implications for our player CJ? Just wondering.
Das ist nicht nur nicht richtig, es ist nicht einmal falsch! "Not only is it not right, it's not even wrong!"[Wolfgang Pauli]
Ag, Bliksems.Best blindside in the world, no question. Shame.
Vorsprung durch Pfennig.
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