Concussion conference hits headwinds
A wasted Week That Was and a big oval-ball Weekend That Will Be
I was a bit torn when I read this.
The author, Andy Bull, logged into a live stream of a series of talks organised by World Rugby on brain health and chronic traumatic encephalopathy. He was troubled by what he saw and heard from the three speakers WR invited and has taken a strong position.
Bull concluded that:
Anyone watching the session could reasonably have left with the impression that the [CTE] issues were overblown, the science behind them unclear, and that World Rugby’s handling of it all is just about spot-on. That last point was, in fact, near enough one of the panel’s conclusions (many of the rest could be best summed up with the tired line: more research is needed). In 90 minutes I’m not sure I heard a single remark that challenged World Rugby’s handling of the issues, or called for any changes to be made to the running of the game. The only thing missing was the caption “This is fine”.
Whether you agree with the speakers or not (and given many of these arguments are already settled, most don’t) it’s easy to see why this sort of self-reinforcement is a problem for the sport. If World Rugby wants to “fill the gaps in our collective knowledge” it should start by filling in the obvious gap in the information it is presenting to the rugby community as an up-to-date survey of the latest research. The conference focused on only one side of the debate, the same side, it so happens, that is most reassuring for its organisers. Quarrie spoke, at one point, about how polarised this discussion has become. Events like this one won’t do anything to redress it.
Steve Thompson and Alix Popham, who have both gone public with their diagnoses of early onset dementia and who are suing World Rugby were swift in joining Bull’s condemnation of the event.
I did not watch the session but just from an ethical standpoint (applying journalistic standards, not necessarily scientific ones), discrediting the work of others without giving them the opportunity to respond is poor form.
They’re not alone in this scientific echo-chamber existence but there is too much at stake here for this sort of “they’re all wrong” group therapy to go unchallenged, so kudos to Bull for popping the balloon.
Where I’m torn is that the name mentioned in the penultimate sentence is New Zealand Rugby’s chief scientist Ken Quarrie.
He is well aware that his employment status automatically positions him as a shill for the sport, but I’ve had enough to do with Quarrie now to understand he is not that person. If anything, he’s a science “purist” and has expressed frustration with those that take polemical positions on both sides of the CTE knowledge debate.
There is an urgency to determine the risk factors and the causal links between repetitive head trauma and neurodegenerative disease in athletes. Time is on no-one’s side here, but taking early and intractable positions does not suit people who are wired like Quarrie.
He is trying to understand the evidence and I don’t think he is unwilling to face uncomfortable facts. I have few doubts that Quarrie is trying to do the right thing, despite who pays his salary.
THE WEEK THAT WAS
Despite a headline that suggests extreme earnestness, this is actually an entertaining take on the Netball Australia sponsorship saga. While I agree 100 percent that using the term “player power” as a pejorative usually signals that a lazy argument is about to follow and that whataboutism is tiring, I do think it’s important to highlight hypocrisy whether it’s players, administrators, sponsors or media. In this case, Johannsen positions Gina Rinehart as the biggest hypocrite of the lot.
“Hancock and its Executive Chairman Mrs Rinehart, consider that it is unnecessary for sports organisations to be used as the vehicle for social or political causes,” the mining giant said in a statement. “There are more targeted and genuine ways to progress social or political causes without virtue signalling or for self-publicity.”
And yet, sponsorship is its own form of virtue signalling by corporations, who draw on the popular appeal of athletes and sports to launder their own image…
Ron Palenski is set to become just the second media man to be inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame, behind rugby commentator Winston McCarthy. Given that the Hall is his baby, it’s well earned, but I have to confess to surprise that the likes of TP McLean and Dick Brittenden aren’t already in there.
THE WEEKEND THAT WILL BE
What I’ll try to (chrome)cast my eyes to this weekend.
If the Black Caps lose to Ireland, they don’t deserve to make their fifth successive ICC tournament final. Simple. Meanwhile, Kane Williamson gave his most detailed analysis of his T20 batting methodology.
NZ v Ireland, Adelaide, today 5pm, Sky Sport 3
Fiji provided one of the low moments in Kiwis league history when they won a tryless encounter 4-2 in Wellington in 2017. Depending on who you read, the Kiwis are either “still burning” about that result, or hold “no scars”. There is some intrigue in Michael Maguire’s selections, particularly at centre, although he will only name his starting lineup just prior to kickoff. The match is also unequivocally the second-best of the quarter-final match-ups. The final quarter promises to be a cracker.
NZ v Fiji, RLWC QF3, Hull, Sunday 8.30am; Tonga v Samoa, RLWC QF4, Warrington, Monday 3.30am, Spark Sport
Buckle up. Now we find out whether the gains made under Wayne Smith are real or a mirage. France showed in pool play against England that they are happy to tackle all day, whereas the Black Ferns’ backline brilliance looks capable of breaking down most defences. Should be the most fascinating 15-a-side game of the weekend, with the England-Canada semi preceding it at 4.30pm.
Black Ferns v France, RWC SF2, Auckland, tomorrow 7.30pm, Spark Sport
Not that the Wales-All Blacks clash is without intrigue - 1953 is a long time ago and all that. I like the backline Ian Foster has selected, particularly Jordie Barrett at No 12, but the team performance was so poor in Japan that I can’t say with any confidence that the 69-year (or 25,158 day) hoodoo will continue.
Wales v NZ, Cardiff, Sunday 4.15am, Sky Sport 1
Keep half an eye out also for the Squash Nations Cup (Sky Sport) the biggest tournament held in New Zealand for many years that is taking place at Tauranga this weekend. The baseball World Series between the Astros and Phillies (ESPN) will go at least six games, with the sixth in Houston on Sunday.
One innings may not break a slump but good to see Williamson show some tenancity and get some good runs. Poor reviews by NZ though, they were more hope to break the hat-trick than anything.
As for rugby I hope Webber gets a run and shows why he should be number 2 halfback and full credit to the Black Ferns, may they run rings around France.