South Sydney coach Michael Maguire has emphatically denied man-of-the-moment Sam Burgess played concussed throughout the NRL grand final.
The NRL has queried the Rabbitohs about Burgess’ state after he fractured his cheekbone and eye socket in a head clash with Canterbury forward James Graham in the opening tackle of the decider won by Souths.
Burgess was quoted on Sky Sports Radio admitting he had barely any memory of the match, raising speculation he should have been subject to a concussion test.
However, speaking at a civic reception at Sydney’s Town Hall on Thursday where the Rabbitohs were handed the keys to the city in front of hordes of fans, Maguire maintained that his training staff followed the correct protocols in regards to Burgess’ welfare.
Maguire said concussion was never a factor.
“No not at all,” he said.
“The processes are there in place and we’ve been doing that ever since (they have) been brought in.”
The NRL has taken a firm line with concussion incidents all season, fining a number of clubs for abusing the system.
George Burgess left the field for a concussion test in the match, but was passed fit to return by Rabbitohs medical staff.
South Sydney favourite son Nathan Merritt – who wasn’t selected for the grand final – was present for a parade through the streets and the reception at Town Hall.
This was after Merritt was conspicuous in his absence from grand final day at ANZ Stadium and a fan day at Redfern on Monday.
Most Rabbitohs players were there for the festivities on Thursday, however Sam Burgess – departing for English rugby in the coming weeks – was unable to attend due to his surgery in which four plates were inserted in his face.
“One unfortunate thing is Sam isn’t with us. I spoke to Sam this morning, saw him yesterday and he’s really loving he gets to watch everything that’s happening in the background but it’s tough for us as a group – a shame that Sam hasn’t been able to be with us,” said Maguire.
“But his spirit definitely is.
“He’s good, he’ll be fine. Initial surgery went well and he’ll be back playing soon.
“It’s great (Merritt was here). He’s a big part of everything that’s gone on.
“He was actually up at an indigenous tournament playing and couldn’t get back.”
Merritt was sporting some scratches on the back of his head, while others were looking a little worse for ware after a number of days of celebrations.
Maguire said the Town Hall reception was an honour.
“It means so much to so many people,” he said.
Banana man
Guest
Sorry eye I missed your comment and wrote something similar below.
Banana man
Guest
james graham was in four head clash incidents why is he not under the same microscope as sam burgess?
mark
Guest
Hi Barry Are you sure Maguire told Burgess that he was soft in wanting to come off? Doesn't sound like something maguire would say
Barrell's Bullet
Guest
So head trainers are now going to need personal liability insurance.
aussikiwi
Guest
Yeah I was ecstatic about the bunnies win but really uncomfortable about this issue. Big big risk for a young man's future. Felt like we were back in the 1970s. Doesn't seem to be much news on how Sam is going?
Pjm
Guest
A new rule needs to brought in, if the tackler is in an upright position and a head clash occurs then the tackler should be penalized.
Pjm
Guest
Because Graham purposely puts his head in a position where he won't be concussed easily. They went out with that tactic and Josh Jackson was doing it as well. Tim Brown at the scrum was disgraceful in trying to head butt Burgess. Grubby dogs. A new rule needs to brought in, if the tackler is in an upright position and a head clash occurs then the tackler should be penalized.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
They should do a test on Fittler. He always sounds concussed.
HarryT
Guest
I agree. Bubble wrap. James Graham should've been forced to wear a bubble wrap headband. And maybe the Dogs could have wrapped some around their testicles too.
nerval
Guest
Expert is the word you used, not I. I do not know if he was concussed. Neither do you. If you are suggesting that all head clashes in sport - or even in the school playground or on the swings at the park - should automatically be met with an immediate concussion exam, then so be it. I'll support you. But you must be consistent. You must come onto the Roar - all the while insulting others for their "ignorance" - and demand that every head clash ( or any blow to the head) you witness, in each and every sport that this site covers, should be met with a concussion test. Will you promise to do that?
robertdowney
Guest
an expert on concussion? expert is a strong word. but i have worked for a long time in assessment and treatment/rehabilitation of brain injury/neurological problems. mr joubert left out some more information in the nrl document which followed his pasted info. what followed next is: Loss of consciousness, confusion and disturbance of memory are classical features of concussion but it is important to remember that they are not present in every case. There are several non specific symptoms that may be present and which should raise the suspicion of concussion: headache, blurred vision, balance problems, dizziness, feeling “dazed” or “light headed”, “don’t feel right”, drowsiness, fatigue and difficulty concentrating." it would interesting to know if sam had any of these. he had a significant blow to his head. assessment of brain injury is not always an exact science like taking a blood pressure or a compound fracture and needs a clinical judgement in light of other available information. one of the key points is that the symptoms are not always visible. cognitive changes can be subtle and not easily to diagnose on the field by someone's visible signs.
Jake
Guest
Not sure what the 'trigger' is, but if I was a doctor with any sense, I'd say a crack in a mans scull from a head collision would warrant some 'tests'
Jake
Guest
Not sure what the 'trigger' is, but if I was a doctor with any sense, I'd say a crack in a mans scull from a head collision would warrant some 'tests'
nerval
Guest
No robertdowney, I'm not an expert on assessment of concussion. Are you? Just in case you're not sure, Craig Joubert below has listed the NRL's concussion guidelines and it appears that the Souths doctor - who is, I guess, more of an expert on assessment of concussion than either you or I - must have reached the conclusion that Burgess did not show any of the symptoms. (Clearly, he had no problem with Tyrrell who went off not to return & George Burgess who went off, passed a concussion test and returned to score a great try). Save your "ignorance" for yourself. I have not said that Sam Burgess did not suffer from concussion. Merely reasoned that he did not go for a concussion exam in the immediate aftermath of the injury precisely because he didn't appear to be concussed. Not to me. Not to anyone at the ground. Not to the various commentary teams. Not to the Souths medical staff. And not even to Peter Fitzsimons in his initial adulatory piece on the Grand Final in the Sydney Morning Herald. What took him so long to change his mind? Elma Dudd: I go for the Dragons.
Frank from Naked Gun
Guest
Snoring, Craig. Snoring.
Frank from Naked Gun
Guest
Hehehe. Or the dead parrot Monty Pythons skit.
Chris morrison
Guest
Do you know what is the most sad about all this.... The NRL has put this rule in place and who does this rule benefit? The headhunters of the game. JWH, James Graham etc are all now going to go right on attacking opponents heads knowing that it puts them off the field for at least 15 mins, possibly the game, whilst they remain on the field taking out opponents one by one. The NRL say they care about player safety, then abolish this rule and get the players to stop attacking opponents heads. Pretty simple you would think.
HarryT
Guest
Like the Black Knight from Monty Python. Black Knight: 'Tis but a scratch! King Arthur: A scratch? Your arm's off! Black Knight: No, it isn't! King Arthur: Well, what's that then? King Arthur: I've had worse.
Frank from Naked Gun
Guest
Not the sort of doctor who'd easily write a certificate when you take a sickie. Reckon he doesn't bulk bill.
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
they say: Recognising the Injury (Making the Diagnosis) Visible Clues: when to suspect concussion • Loss of consciousness or non responsive • Lying on the ground-not moving or slow to get up • Unsteady on feet/ Balance problems/ poor coordination • Grabbing/ clutching at head • Dazed, blank or vacant look • Confused/Not aware of plays or events I couldn't say that Sam had any of those clues maybe they should just add - if they have had a head clash?