Tatafu Polota-Nau could quit rugby if concussed again

Polota-Nau really should retire. On top of the obvious safety concerns, he actually delays nearly every rugby game he plays in while he is on the ground for a good 10 minutes. Rugby is already stop-start enough these days.

Mick Absolutely agree. His next head knock is that he will approve himself as being "I'm right" and declare he's ready to play. He is really kidding himself if he thinks this type of injury is like a broken limb or a lengthy cut requiring a cast or stitches to provide instant reparations. This injury takes its time to show any effects and more time if it shows any serious impacts. You cannot put a cast or stitches on this one and it is worrying that he has this attitude when he knows himself, that it isn't the first, second or third occasion he has received such a knock. He has received numerous knocks over his career. If he is really serious about his future then surely it would be worthwhile for him to consult expert physicians who specialise in this field.....nothing wrong with getting another opinion, is there?? It took Ben Afeaki 2 seasons before finally deciding to retire due to this type of injury - mind you, he didn't play all that time because the effects were occurring throughout this period....gee, I hope TPN gives himself every chance to prove he no longer feels impacted by this recent head-knock, even if it means sitting out for a season or two.

Post match they said it was a yellow offence, so gave him a warning. I wasn't at the game, but did they show it on the big screen? I doubt it. Did the TMO see it before play went on?

I am still shaking my head wondering how/why Kurindrani escaped penalty on the field, then was not cited post match. Maybe there was no intent, but it was certainly careless if not reckless. We have seen players penalised, or carded, for far less previously.

In many ways the head gear is more psychological than effective. If you have an existing cut or knock it can make you feel better/confident without really providing a lot of actual protection. Similar to knee supports. If you've got a bad knee and try to change directions when running at full pace, 5mm of wet-suit material doesn't help a lot, but can give you the confidence to play when you probably shouldn't be :)

I say he is not taking it seriously enough still. The incidence of head knocks for him is extraordinary and the risk of long term damage is therefore alarmingly high. He needs a scone doctor to sit with him and tell him just what might happen, now or when he is 45 or 55 years old, if it occurs again; and what is potentially happening to him already. He really must stop playing at all levels immediately.

Great story james. Need more players like him

Thanks Adrian. Its bad luck, this last knock wasnt due to any wreckless action from him. But I supposed the accumulated head injuries is taking its toll. Its a terrible time to for this happen. Because if it were not a WRC year, it would be easy for him to call it quits. I believe, in any case, he should do so. This is going to be a rugged year of Rugby, for SR TRC and RWC. I fear for his health. Maybe he should be rested at least.

Perhaps, but to be fair, this time he go KO'd by a high shot which amazingly went by without attention from the officials.

Soft headgear doesn't do anything to prevent concussion. It's useful for minimising minor bumps & scrapes, but the big impacts still do just as much damage.

they won't stop it... the brain still rattles in the skull causing concussion. just look at the American football players... they have crash helmets on...

ah, without wanting to sound too simplistic, why arent rugby players compelled to wear those helmets that some of them wear voluntarily??

'The 50-Test veteran altered his fearless, sometimes literally head-first, tackling technique last year and had no more issues, but he missed two games earlier this season after suffering a head knock in a training incident.' Having suffered so many of them already there is a risk of getting another down the line.

He didn't take it seriously enough when he was going through his cannonball phase. How many years was he warned to fix it?

Good bloke by all accounts but seriously his tackling technique is flawed. No idea why he tends to dive at the legs head first. Hopefully he is all good & gets that part of his game right in the future.

Because I admire the man so much for what he does for others, part of me would love him to head over to Europe or better yet Japan, reel back the intensity, and earn some good coin for his future. He's such a giver of his time and energy that I almost wish he'd do something for himself to extend his career. All of that being said I'm sure none of that interests him and he'll continue to do what Taf does. Good luck to him no matter what.

Yep - met him a few years back at a kids clinic, and he (and Halangahu) were the only two who voluntarily stayed back, playing with the kids, having a sausage, and chatting to the parents. It was funny - my then 5yo was running into him trying to tackle him - one leg of Taf's was considerably bigger than my kid! I worry for him. I really do. I can't see how he won't run into problems later.

Agreed Jez, he'll be invaluable for Aus rugby and the two blues for many years to come, albeit in a different capacity. A true rugby man, and one who is very much in touch with the grass roots.

I hope he is ok, an outstanding young guy who has a lot to offer off the pitch to go with what he has already achieved on it.

Good to see a sportsman taking concussion seriously for a change, although I hope he won't ever have to make that decision.