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Tue 28 Apr 2015 | 01:40
Richie McCaw knocked out cold after getting his head on the wrong side of a tackle

13
Comments

All Black flanker Richie McCaw was left unconscious for a short period in the Crusaders Super Rugby match this weekend after taking a nasty knock to the head whilst making a covering tackle on Blues fullback, Lolagi Visinia.

After securing an impressive turnover, the Blues were quick to spread the ball to the wing in an effort to launch a counter attack against a disorganised Crusaders defence. 

McCaw rushed forward to make the hit, but unfortunately his head ended up on the wrong side as he made contact, causing his body to immediately appear limp as he fell to the floor.

Play continued as the Crusaders openside lay prone, devoid of movement for a good few seconds, and when he did eventually come round he was visibly dazed and uneasy on his feet.

Immediately following the collision McCaw was expected to undergo concussion tests to see if he was able to continue, but having viewed the replays Crusaders coach, Todd Blackadder, determined himself that his flanker had been knocked out and must be replaced. 

Blackadder was very clear in his stance that, although he appreciates just how important a presence the openside flanker brings, the safety of his players is paramount.

The latest is that McCaw has been ruled out of the Crusaders' crunch match with the Hurricanes due to the time frame needed for recovery.

"He had a bit of a mild headache yesterday morning and by yesterday evening he was feeling really well," Crusaders doctor Deb Robinson explained on Tuesday. "But we made the decision that, if was still symptomatic on Monday, he wouldn't play this weekend."

She added that his last concussion was back in 2011, and said that he's been at the Crusaders team meetings and if he's feeling better tomorrow, will start doing some bike work, which will start his road to recovery. He is expected to be fit for the Reds clash the following week.

The incident is reminiscent of Leigh Halfpenny's recent concussion in the Six Nations when he got his head on the wrong side whilst tackling Italian Number 8, Samuela Vunisa.

credit: le rugbynistere

Posted By: mattmon10

13 Comments

  • dancarter
    5:17 PM 30/04/2015

    I heard that McCaw is so tough because all he eats and drinks is raw steak and the blood of his opposite number.

  • danknapp
    3:02 PM 30/04/2015

    I am never going to erase the phrase 'sex dentistry' from my mind. Have a like.

  • stroudos
    12:29 PM 30/04/2015

    Have a look at this!
    http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/man-accused-of-pulling-womens-teeth-out-with-pliers-during-sex-because-he-liked-gummy-ladies-10213154.html

    Of course this is all just part and parcel of the courtship ritual. These NZ girls are tough warriors. Getting a tooth ripped out is the same as a casually groped buttock - just a sign of affection. These soft northern hemisphere ponces, with their bouquets of flowers and boxes of chocolates, would probably have sex dentistry banned, for the sake of the kids or some silly nonsense.


  • drg
    12:54 AM 30/04/2015

    ...I'm confused, he can't be a warrior and be healthy though can he? I mean fit and healthy could involve eating cous cous, being a warrior would involve not eating cous cous???

    My head feels like McCaws!

  • drg
    12:53 AM 30/04/2015

    I know he's had concussions, but seeing him KO'd isn't a common occurrence is it?

    He's definitely one to put his body on the line, totally agree regarding North, I think the same applies for 1/2p, he won't be an 'old player'...

  • eddie-g
    6:40 PM 29/04/2015

    Todd Blackadder deserves all the praise here. Coaches are in the prime position to take responsibility when their players are potentially concussed, and you can't do it better than this.

  • danknapp
    2:56 PM 29/04/2015

    Horrible to see McCaw out like that, the man is a warrior. Just goes to show the forces involved in these collisions on a game by game basis. Hope he doesn't have any lasting damage. We want him fit and healthy at the World Cup.

  • stroudos
    7:32 AM 29/04/2015

    Is size the reason though? I'd suggest it has more to do with tackle technique. In every one of the tackle-based concussions I can think of, the tackler has got his head on the wrong side of the ball-carrier. Cuddling his cock, when he should be cuddling his arse.

    Why are these head-wrong-side tackles happening more frequently? Well I'm speculating, but there seems to be more of a desire to smash the bloke backwards in the tackle, ratherr than being satisfied with getting him to ground. Don't let him past the gain line appears to be the mantra, where in fact people used to deliberately use the ball-carrier's momentum to get him on the "wrong" side of the ensuing ruck - as long as your support arrives on time they have more chance of getting over the tackled player and isolating him - easier to win the ruck and you might even extract a penalty for not releasing the ball.

  • stroudos
    6:44 AM 29/04/2015

    I'm just going to clarify for any French-speakers unfamiliar with PhillNZ's culinary preferences that when he says "couscous-eaters" it's not a bizarre misplaced racism, but an equally odd implication that people who eat healthy food are weak and risk-averse.

  • finedisregard
    1:33 AM 29/04/2015

    It's not unusual for McCaw. McCaw has had a long and serious history of concussions, and those are only the ones we know about. Once you've had just one you are more susceptible and he's had more than 3 with past problems of headaches, memory loss, and dizziness.

    We're going to see more and more of this thing. North won't be playing at 30. This is the outcome of bigger, stronger, faster ethos of pro sports. Rugby players in weight rooms=a lot more concussions. Be careful what you wish for rugby fans...

  • jimmy23
    9:46 PM 28/04/2015

    Thanks Phill! You have a nice evening too!

  • jimmy23
    9:46 PM 28/04/2015

    Richie McHalfpenny

  • drg
    7:11 PM 28/04/2015

    I'll ignore the bait..

    Anyway, is it me or do KO's appear to be happening more frequently? I'm not sure if there is any reason for this, or whether it's just the current 'in thing' to do or maybe it's the quick spate of high profile KO's that are making it appear more of an epidemic than it really is..

    Unusual to see Mr McCaw like that.

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