Off Topic The Rugby Thread

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Taffvalerowdy said:
Cheers QPRNUTS!

To be honest, the WRU’s negativity towards the Regions, their niggardly approach and their inability/unwillingness to change contributed, in part, to my decision to step away from personal involvement.

If only Wales had a model/system similar to Ireland where you are all aligned and ‘on the same page’. <cheers>
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That’s sad to hear and must hurt.
We’re lucky here for sure. We’ve a really simple but effective system and a conveyor belt of young lads still to come through.

These moments are magical for us. We consistently punch above our weight. But it’s always cyclical. That’s why it’s important to enjoy the wins and the moment. Sport is just the heartbeat of life. It gives so much.

Italy went on the exact same journey as Wales are on now and we can clearly see their improvement.

happy St Paddy’s day lads .
Remember…….life’s for living
 
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QPRNUTS said:
That’s sad to hear and must hurt.
We’re lucky here for sure. We’ve a really simple but effective system and a conveyor belt of young lads still to come through.

These moments are magical for us. We consistently punch above our weight. But it’s always cyclical. That’s why it’s important to enjoy the wins and the moment. Sport is just the heartbeat of life. It gives so much.

Italy went on the exact same journey as Wales are on now and we can clearly see their improvement.

happy St Paddy’s day lads .
Remember…….life’s for living
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Must admit that I enjoyed meeting the guys from the Provinces, particularly Mick Dawson (Leinster) and Shane Logan (Ulster). <cheers>
 
sb_73 said:
Bye bye George North, from internationals at least, off to France for a final payday.

An occasionally great player, I can never get past the 4 huge head injuries he had in quick succession in 2014/15 which would have seen him told never to play again if he was an amateur. He’s had more since, including one against Scotland last year where he was shockingly allowed to play on after his HIA, despite having clearly lost consciousness on impact.

I sincerely hope he gets to live a long and healthy life once he does retire. Likewise Johnny Sexton, who may have had 30 concussions according to his club doctor at Racing 92. Sexton gets very angry when this stuff is discussed.
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Did you watch the recent BBC2 series 'Slammed' about the Welsh side of the late seventies and eighties? The latter part focused on the amateurish management of the side that went to the 1987 World Cup in NZ/Australia and in particular the treatment of Glen Webbe, who was one of the first black players to represent Wales. In one of the group games Webbe was absolutely mullered by an opposition Tonga player. Knocked unconscious, he was brought round and sent back onto the pitch because Wales had used all their substitutes. He went on to complete a hat-trick of tries in the game, but has no recollection of the third in which he ran the length of the pitch to score.
 
Stroller said:
Did you watch the recent BBC2 series 'Slammed' about the Welsh side of the late seventies and eighties? The latter part focused on the amateurish management of the side that went to the 1987 World Cup in NZ/Australia and in particular the treatment of Glen Webbe, who was one of the first black players to represent Wales. In one of the group games Webbe was absolutely mullered by an opposition Tonga player. Knocked unconscious, he was brought round and sent back onto the pitch because Wales had used all their substitutes. He went on to complete a hat-trick of tries in the game, but has no recollection of the third in which he ran the length of the pitch to score.
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Didn’t see it but I’ll have a look on iPlayer. Having looked him up seems like he hasn’t suffered lasting damage, which is a relief.
 
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First head knock-linked brain disease in pro NZ rugby player confirmed
By Mark Crysell, Sunday Reporter
Thu, Mar 14
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Billy with his mum Stacey Dunn and his dad John. (Source: Supplied)

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  • died at 33 of a suspected suicide in 2023.





    A detailed examination of his brain by the Neurological Foundation’s Brain Bank has now showed he had stage 2 Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy or CTE.





    His father John Guyton told 1News today: “It’s sad that it’s taken so long to understand how terrible it must’ve been for Billy who struggled on a daily basis with the frustration of knowing he was unwell but not getting any answers from ACC, doctors and specialist who could have helped him.”





    A growing worldwide consensus of scientists believe CTE is caused by repeated blows to the head, but NZ Rugby and World Rugby are yet to accept that link.





    The co-director of New Zealand’s Brain bank, Professor Maurice Curtis, said: “The diagnosis of a young person with CTE is significant as it indicates how early in life the brain has been affected by head knocks.





    “The impact on the individual is profound in that it robs them of some of their potential.”





    Symptoms only worsen as patients get older, Curtis said.



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    Billy Guyton playing for the Blues (Source: Photosport)

    Progressive dementia


    People with CTE suffer memory loss, aggression, confusion, depression, severe anxiety and eventually, progressive dementia.





    Guyton retired from rugby in 2018 because he’d received many concussions.





    He told the Nelson Weekly Newspaper at the time that he’d battled bi-polar disorder but the concussions had brought constant headaches and nausea as well as blurry and double vision.





    It meant he even struggled to play with his two-year-old daughter.





    “How cruel it is for Billy to have endured so much prior to his death,” his father said.





    Former All Black prop Carl Hayman also suffered from memory lapses, anger, alcohol abuse and suicidal thoughts before he was diagnosed with early-onset dementia and probable CTE.





    CTE can only be diagnosed after someone dies.





    Hayman is one of around 250 players suing World Rugby for failing to protect them from permanent injury caused by repeated blows to the head.





    In 2023, the brain of Justin Jennings, the first Kiwi diagnosed with CTE, was brought back to New Zealand from America and now resides in Auckland’s Brain Bank.





    “We are working hard to make sure the best research is available for others who have had repetitive head injuries that may be contributing to neurological symptoms.” Curtis said.



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    Where to get help. (Source: 1News)



    Guyton (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Raukawa) was born and raised in South Canterbury. He began his provincial career with North Otago and went on to make 52 appearances for Tasman between 2013 and 2017. He played for the Hurricanes, Crusaders and Blues Super Rugby teams as well as two games for the Māori All Blacks.





    “We hope that more recognition will now be given to others on this journey and looking for answers,” said John Guyton. “Other families should never have to go through what Billy and our family have.”





    READ MORE: Mark Crysell's in-depth report into club rugby player Justin Jennings who was the first New Zealander to be diagnosed with CTE.





    In a statement NZ Rugby acknowledged the Guyton family and their loss, and the on-going grief surrounding his death.





    "We share the family’s concern at his diagnosis. Any time the rugby community loses a member, especially someone as young and talented as Billy, it is felt deeply.





    "NZR is concerned about the possibility that repeated head impacts during participation in rugby may contribute to neurodegenerative diseases in later life.





    "NZR continues to prioritise player safety which reduces and mitigates against the risk of injury and the exposure of head impacts to participants at all levels.





    "This includes the introduction of smart mouthguards, lower tackle height, contact guidelines, law changes, compulsory education for community coaches and many other initiatives."





    It was also supporting research into the issue.
 
sb_73 said:
Didn’t see it but I’ll have a look on iPlayer. Having looked him up seems like he hasn’t suffered lasting damage, which is a relief.
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Possibly the only way to ensure that no one, ever suffers lasting damage is to ban all contact sport, especially rugby and boxing?
Otherwise, maybe we just have to accept the risks, whilst ensuring maximum protection for participants, without completely changing the sport.
Clearly, anyone with concussion should never be sent back out to play etc.
 
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Surprised this thread hasn't been bumped.....

Ireland v All Blacks at the Aviva tonight and it's on terrestrial tv on Virgin Media.....

Should be a classic....
 
6-9 at HT and AB with player in sin bin under review for high tackle......
Lot of pressure from AB's and probably deserve to be in front....
 
Not a classic, plenty of handling errors by Ireland...... 13-15 and Ireland coughing up too many penalties...... another one conceded, now 13-18
 
Ireland were poor and NZ a shadow of their great sides, but did enough to win.....

Ireland lacked the game management to apply any pressure on NZ defence......
 
Entertaining first half at HQ, when SA got their third try I thought we could be on for a hammering but we've battled back into the match and are only two down at half time. Defensive mistakes once again our downfall...
 
Sooperhoop said:
Entertaining first half at HQ, when SA got their third try I thought we could be on for a hammering but we've battled back into the match and are only two down at half time. Defensive mistakes once again our downfall...
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It’s odd, I haven’t watched any of the autumn internationals, seem to have lost interest in rugby. Perhaps it will pick up again for the Six Nations.

Mind you, also losing interest in football, at all levels, in this country at least.
 
sb_73 said:
It’s odd, I haven’t watched any of the autumn internationals, seem to have lost interest in rugby. Perhaps it will pick up again for the Six Nations.

Mind you, also losing interest in football, at all levels, in this country at least.
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I’m not a big rugby fan by any means admittedly and outside the World Cup I don’t watch a lot. Prefer League to Union.

But they just sound like glorified friendlies to me with a fancy title. I’m sure there’s a degree of pride as with any game but if we lose or win it doesn’t really matter when it comes to actually winning a trophy.
 
sb_73 said:
It’s odd, I haven’t watched any of the autumn internationals, seem to have lost interest in rugby. Perhaps it will pick up again for the Six Nations.

Mind you, also losing interest in football, at all levels, in this country at least.
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We're at Centre Parcs with my daughter and one set of grandchildren. I escaped to the sports bar and was really enjoying the Wales- Australia game. Very disappointed that they've now put the England football on.
 
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