Tom Curry: 'I've got full confidence in my long-term health'
Tom Curry views concussion as an occupational hazard after reflecting on his presence among three England players who saw their summer tour to Australia cut short by head injuries.
Curry returned home early because of the damage sustained in the first Test and a match later he was joined by Sam Underhill and Maro Itoje, who were ruled out of the Sydney decider for the same reason.
The all-action Sale flanker is confident he will retire with his long-term health intact because of the steps taken by rugby to mitigate the impact of concussion.
But the sport continues to unfold amid a lawsuit launched against the game’s governing bodies by more 185 former players, many of whom have been diagnosed with early-onset dementia and other irreversible neurological impairments.
“Rugby is a contact sport. You work on your tackle technique, you try and get it right but ultimately it’s very different every time you do it,” Curry said.
A new protocol was introduced in July that states any player with a history of concussion or who is removed from a match with obvious concussion symptoms must sit out at least the next 12 days rather than undergo a seven-day HIA process.
“Rugby is being put into a better spot with research and what’s going on,” Curry said.
“I’ve got full confidence in my long-term health. I’ll let the scientists take care of that and let’s crack on and play rugby.
“If the research backs the change to the protocols then I’m all for it. At the end of the day my job is to play rugby.
“That’s what I focus on and if something comes out that helps players in the long term then brilliant, it can only be a positive.”
As one of England’s most effective breakdown operators, Curry’s ability to get over the ball puts him at risk of a reckless clear-out but the 24-year-old shrugs off this concern – even when it is raised by his mum.
The viability of jackling is an ongoing debate amid fears it is dangerous and Curry said: “My mum says that a lot!
“It’s rugby and you can’t change it – that’s the sport we love. The only complicated bit is when people start rolling in and pulling around.
“It is rugby and you have got people running at you, but I have never felt vulnerable at all. We are well protected, especially with the new laws.
“Look at two or three years ago when you had to win the contest against clearers and survive the clear out. Rugby has made huge steps forward.
“We can always say this or that would be better, but from where we started to where we are now we have come on leaps and bounds in terms of player safety.”
England left Australia with a hard-fought 2-1 series victory and attention now turns to the autumn which begins against Argentina on November 6.
On Sunday they gathered in south west London for the first time since dispatching the Wallabies and their training camp continued with a trip to Thorpe Park Resort where they completed an inflatable assault course.
“We didn’t do the rides – unfortunately and to the disappointment of everyone! We fell off the assault course a bit but it was good to get everyone together,” Curry said.
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Does anyone know a way to loook at how many mins each player has played whilst on tour?
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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