Concussed Stanley may call it quits
21 May 2012
Benson Stanley is unlikely to play again for the Blues after suffering a head knock in Saturday’s match against the Crusaders.
According to Fairfax News in New Zealand, Stanley has sustained a concussion and won’t be back before the break for internationals in June. Given his history with concussion, he may be sidelined for even longer.
Stanley will be moving to French club Clermont at the conclusion of the Blues’ Super Rugby campaign, and so there are fears that he may have played his last game for the Blues. His condition is such that he could be forced to quit rugby altogether, but that call will only be made at a later date.
‘The medical team are monitoring that and he’ll go through the normal protocols. He could be out for a while,’ said coach Pat Lam.
Meanwhile, the Blues have been boosted by the return of Rudi Wulf who has recovered from a shoulder injury. Loose forward Chirs Lowrey could also be back this week.
13 Comments
21 May 2012, 07:49 am
Sad news but I dont think he will quit.With an impending big money move to France and still only in is mid-20′s. Also looking at Berrick Barnes who has a worse concussion history yet he is still playing,very well I might add(vs Stormers on Sat).
Always rated Stanley,unlucky to have played in a generation with likes of SBW,Nonu at 12, a bit like Sam Tuitupou was(similiar styles)…Tamati Ellison falls in this category as well.
Dimunitive but hella powerful in contact.Good player.He wll be a success in France.Wish him,great pedigree-Joe,Chase,Winston,Jeremy etc..(related to Tim Cahill-Everton F.C footballer)
21 May 2012, 08:11 am
Shame the Blues cant catch a break.
21 May 2012, 08:12 am
Does he always play with a scrum cap and do those things help in protecting soft heads.
21 May 2012, 08:41 am
Dam thats bad news. This guy is seriously underrated. Hasnt had a great season but I always enjoy watching him play
21 May 2012, 09:24 am
RL
Berrick Barnes complained last year that a scrum cap wasn’t protecting the back of his head, which is where he was getting hit most frequently.
If we look at the NFL, concussions are very common despite the helmets that they wear. The fear for Barnes, Stanley, McCaw & others is that they’ve wagered their future brain health, with research showing the long term effects present themselves only after an athlete has retired
21 May 2012, 09:45 am
@RL(RL)-3: The IRB did a study on scrum caps and found they don’t do anything to protect the head
http://www.science.unsw.edu.au/news/padded-headgear-won-t-stop-concussion/
21 May 2012, 10:12 am
@viewer(viewer)-5: @gonzo(gonzo)-6: very interesting indeed.
21 May 2012, 11:45 am
@gonzo(gonzo)-6:
Could’ve told you that without the study, and saved the IRB plenty of money.
Anyone following the NFL will know the concerns around concussions.
Interesting article – google “Anquan Boldin, concussion, oxygen”.
21 May 2012, 14:52 pm
Go Benson go,
leave rugby behind.
This is Benson’s 5th concussion.
Last night on TVNZ there was a piece featuring Steve Devine and what concussion has done to him.
It ain’t pretty,
and it ain’t rare.
Those above speaking of ineffective headgear are 100% correct.
The problem lies with the brain hitting the cranium.
i.e. The internal impact. ……………………………..Not the external crash.
21 May 2012, 14:56 pm
@cane(cane)-9: True enough.
21 May 2012, 18:45 pm
I googled “Steve Devine concussion” & read about the Aus documentary on concussion in AFL, NRL & union. Absolutely saddening
21 May 2012, 19:02 pm
sad news…
but brings to question what happened to the ‘automatic’ 3 week concussion rule put in place by the irb 10-15 years ago…?
it was supposed to be compulsory and should be enforced…now some doctor decides if the damage warrants a rest or not… they shouldn’t have the choice… if a guy gets knocked out or knocked senseless on the park he must take that 3 week rest…
not good enough imo…
26 May 2012, 07:34 am
?
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