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Beauden Barrett admits behind the scenes retirement scare
By Sam Smith
All Blacks star Beauden Barrett has revealed that he considered retiring from rugby last year as he struggled with the symptoms of concussion.
Barrett was injured in the 29-20 defeat to Ireland during the Autumn Nations Seris in Dublin last November. He was sent for a HIA after tackling winger Andrew Conway and didn't return.
He hasn't played since.
The knock resulted in severe concussion symptoms for Barrett, symptoms that got so bad at one stage that the All Blacks first-five considered packing in his playing career.
“For two weeks, things have been much better. But throughout the off-season, I had migraines, 80 to 90 per cent of the time. Today, it tends to fade, they have become rarer," Barrett told XV Mondial in France.
Indeed the 30-year-old is still not back in full contact training with the Blues, who are hoping to make a splash in the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific season.
“I will gradually resume contact training, I hope to play again in three weeks against the Chiefs. I thought it might be the end of my career. When you feel sluggish 99 per cent of the day, trying several ways to get better, but nothing works, you assume the worst.
“And then you hear about teammates who have to end their careers because of concussions, it’s more and more frequent. I thought it was my turn.
“You learn to get used to small headaches, a bit like a mild hangover. It’s very frustrating because when you wake up, in principle, you should feel refreshed and ready.”
Barrett is only New Zealand’s 11th rugby union Test centurion, reaching the landmark against Wales on the Autumn, nine years after his international debut, and he remains a match-winner of the highest class.
Barrett was named world player of the year in 2016 and 2017 and has scored voer 700 Test points.
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Latest Comments
In regards to Mack Hansen, Tuipoloto and others who talent wasnt 'seen'..
If we look at acting, soccer and cricket as examples, Hugh Jackman, the Heminsworths in acting; Keith Urban in Nashville, Mike Hussey and various cricketers who played in UK and made the Australian team; and many soccer players playing overseas.
My opinion is that perhaps the ' 'potential' or latent talent is there, but it's just below the surface.
ANd that decision, as made by Tane Edmed, Noah, Will Skelton to go overseas is the catalyst to activate the latent and bring it to the surface.
Based on my personal experience of leaving Oz and spending 14 months o/s, I was fully away from home and all usual support systems and past memories that reminded me of the past.
Ooverseas, they weren't there. I had t o survive, I could invent myself as who I wanted, and there was no one to blame but me.
It bought me alive, focused my efforts towards what I wanted and people largely accepted me for who I was and how I turned up.
So my suggestion is to make overseas scholarships for younger players and older too so they can benefit from the value offered by overseas coaching acumen, established systems, higher intensity competition which like the pressure that turns coal into diamonds, can produce more Skeltons, Arnold's, Kellaways and the like.
After the Lion's tour say, create 20 x $10,000 scholarships for players to travel and play overseas.
Set up a HECS style arrangement if necessary to recycle these funds ongoingly.
Ooverseas travel, like parenthood or difficult life situations brings out people's physical and emotional strengths in my own experiences, let's use it in rugby.
Go to commentsI agree what a load of crap! The ABs are elite sportsmen and ALL sportsmen want to challenge themselves against the best. And where better than Eden Park - some say that is our fortress. Well the ABs will relish the chance to build on that notion I am sure.
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