Rugby deaths 'a surprise’

Press, 6 November 1978, Page 13

Rugby deaths 'a surprise’

PA Auckland Rughy rules and coaching methods should be examined to see why players are being injured and killed, says a Canadian sports medicine expert. Mr Don Johnson, head of a sports medicine clinic at Carleton University in Ottawa, is in Auckland for the siart of a three-week speaking tour of New Zealand. He said that deaths and paralysis • through spinal injuries from gridiron football in Canada were unknown. Commenting on New Zealand's three deaths and two maitnings this season through spinal injuries in

rugby, Dr Johnson said: “I here must be someth,.,g you can change; something must be going wrong.” Ihe news of me rugby deaths surprised Dr Johnson, who said rugby was being introduced in Canada as a cheap and safe sport. Dr Johnson, who is an orthopaedic surgeon, suggested that a preventive look be taken at the game, involving sports administrators, coaches. players, doctors, and physiologists. “The game ‘needs to be critically examined," he said. “Films of matches should be taken to see just where the injuries are occurring and why. Then, if possible, the cause should be eliminated.”