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French coach: Assertion that 'rugby kills' outrageous
By Online Editors
Pau academy coach James Coughlan has responded to the backlash against rugby following the death of 19-year-old Stade Francais academy player Nicolas Chauvin.
Chauvin broke his neck during an academy match less than two weeks ago. He suffered a cardiac arrest and brain damage, dying three days later.
"It's incredibly sad. It's an extremely difficult time for his family, I can't imagine what they're going through," Coughland said in an interview with RTÉ 2fm's Game On.
"But I'm thinking of the Gaelic guys who would have died on the pitch as well and that's why we have cardiac units and defibrillators at all the GAA grounds because of the sudden death syndrome.
"It's just that, an accident. It's extremely sad and difficult for everyone to understand. But if we get caught up with it and start changing rules and laws and making decisions based on what's happened... sometimes it's just an accident."
An editorial in French newspaper L'Equipe claimed rugby "nobody can pretend there is any doubt anymore. Rugby kills." Coughlan weighed in on the statement during his interview.
"It's an outrageous statement to make. For anyone to say that rugby kills... when you go to the shop, you could step out on the street and a bus hits you. That's the equivalent of what happened.
"I think if we lose sight of that it's a slippery slope."
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Latest Comments
HAHAHAHA typical.. there is no where near 90% of the top players in Europe Nick. Those playing in Brazil and Argentina still are probably better that 90% of the none top 5 european leagues.
Even just because these australians are in Europe, does not make them better than those at home. And that goes for nearly all the nations with heavy representation in europe.
What you're trying to say is europe is were 90% of the money in football is, that would get your point across better.
Go to commentsScott Robertson wants his men to push through and sight their targets to help minimise errors from rushed and frustrating brain explosions.
This test match will highlight if the entire coaching staff can select from the All Blacks sqaud, a team capable of producing the necessary and silencing their critics.
Go the All Blacks...looking to have the rub of green again vs Ireland... onwards and upwards.
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