“I can speak truly when I say I’ve never felt pressure to play through a head knock” - Sam Cane
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All Blacks captain Sam Cane is concerned his bouts of concussion may affect his future health.
Speaking to Radio New Zealand, Cane says rugby officials in New Zealand are focused on minimising the risk of head injuries and are leading the way in player welfare.
The flanker, who was named as the All Blacks Player of the Year for 2020, has suffered several concussions, most recently towards the end of Super Rugby Aotearoa and had a serious neck injury in 2018, is aware of the health issues facing some of his former teammates and opponents.
Cane commented on the topic after several former players launched legal action against World Rugby, England’s Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union that alleges a failure to protect them from the risks caused by concussions.
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“Because of some of the knocks I’ve had it always worries you,” Cane said in comments published by Radio New Zealand
“There’s always the potential for that [concussion] and it could be just around the corner, it’s just one of the risks we accept playing this game.”
Cane said he felt education about concussion had improved in recent years.
“I can speak truly when I say I’ve never felt pressure to play through a head knock,” said Cane
“I think we’re particularly well looked after here in New Zealand and even hearing stories from guys in other parts of the world it would seem that New Zealand is leading the way in player welfare, even just with the resting of players.“
