Super 14 Head Injury Reports Deeply Disturbing

29 May 2006

Super 14 Head Injury Reports Deeply Disturbing

The Brain Injury of New Zealand says it is deeply disturbed at reports that Hurricanes halfback Piri Weepu played on after apparently being concussed early in Saturday's night's Super 14 final.

"If indeed Weepu was concussed, and reports that he can't remember the rest of the game would seem to confirm it, we would be appalled that he was allowed to take any further part in the game," BIANZ executive director Harley Pope says.

"The great danger is that he could easily have suffered a second concussion with very serious consequences not just for a game but for life."

This incident needs to be clarified urgently because it sets a poor example to young players who look up to the professionals," Mr Pope said.

"So much has been done to instil safe practices through the Rugby Smart programme, wide distribution of Sideline Concussion Kits and the like, that it would be very disappointing to see a return to the risky " toughness" of decades past."

Next month the consequences of ignoring the danger signs of concussion in sport and elsewhere will be highlighted during Brain Injury Awareness Week.

"We urge our rugby players and coaches to pay serious attention," Mr Pope said.

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ENDS

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