Wallabies centre forced into retirement
Severe ongoing concussions have forced another international star to hang up his boots.
According to Rugbycomau, Australia international Anthony Fainga’a has called an end to his rugby career due to concussions.
The extent of the concussions were so severe that Fainga’a had to be held up at the altar during his twin brother’s (fellow Wallabies representative Saia) wedding.
The centre played 23 Tests for the Wallabies and was a member of the Reds’ Super Rugby championship-winning team in 2011.
Fainga’a, who is set to move back to Brisbane, has been playing in Japan for the past three seasons.
The 32-year-old revealed said he had opportunities to continue in the sport but had made the right call.
Fainga’a suffered several head knocks during his playing career, including one during the 2011 Rugby World Cup, where he was taken from the field after losing consciousness for more than a minute.
“I’m probably only one more head knock away from being a vegetable or not being able to play with my kids,” Fainga’a told Fox Sports News.
“After a couple of really big head knocks, I had to make a big decision,” Fainga’a said, recalling an occasion more than two years ago when he realised the effect concussions were having on his health.
“In 2016, my twin brother got married and at the altar, I was actually getting held up because of the head knocks.
“I received a couple of really big head knocks over my career and I was standing at the altar getting held up, I got walked out by someone.
“I got a few head knocks last year and after all these head knocks I had to make a decision, make a choice about what I wanted to do with my future.
“I love the rugby game so much but I needed to look after my mental health.”
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The main thing you need on your side to win a World Cup is luck. ABs had their fair share of it in the 2011 final. One score game in the SF vs Springboks in 2015 means there always things you can look at and say if this thing or that thing happened then SA would/should have won that game. Smith’s try being called back broke protocol, but it was the correct decision, so I don’t have a problem with that. If it was an SA try called back in the same circumstances I don’t think many ABS fans would have a problem with it. Cane’s shot was high, it was the classic thing NZ players have been doing, and getting carded for for years - Walking around bolt upright trying to put a big hit on someone. Stupid play by someone with a poor disciplinary record. The one that was a big problem for me was Etzebeth’s obstruction. The referee just choked on this occasion. Frustrating to have the TMO in his ear all night, apart from at this moment. Minimum yellow card for Etzebeth, but a very strong case for a penalty try also. Despite all that the ABs had the opportunity to be ahead with 3 minutes to play, so it’s hard to point fingers too much. Pollard makes that kick 99/100. JB and RM make it 50/100. That’s what it came down to in the end.
Go to commentsThere is no place to hide in the front row. You win or lose each time and it selects for hard men/women and those who enjoy combat
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