A succession of head injuries have cast a shadow over the playing future of the Blues’ French-bound utility back Benson Stanley.
rugby365
Blues coach Pat Lam on Monday expressed concerned over the three-Test All Black’s playing future.
Stanley, who normally plays as a centre, suffered his fifth concussion in a year when he was knocked out cold playing on the left wing for the Blues in their record 12-59 loss to the Crusaders in Christchurch at the weekend.
Stanley, who played all three his Tests for the All Blacks in 2010, is meant to join up with the French club Clermont Auvergne on a two-year contract at the conclusion of the 2012 Super Rugby season.
However, his career now hangs in the balance.
Lam says it’s possible Stanley will have to go through a series of tests to assess how bad his most recent injury is.
“Bit concerned, another concussion, and he’s had a few now,” Lam said.
“Well he hasn’t had one this year, but obviously on the back of last year with Auckland when he had that last one. You know, there is concern but the medical team are monitoring that and go through the normal protocol, so he could be out for a while.”
Last season he took indefinite leave from the game following neurological tests which revealed limitations in memory capacity and reaction time.
Lam says while they haven’t ruled him out for the Super Rugby season, they’re preparing as if that is the case.
However, with the profile of concussion symptoms peaking at an all time high around the world, Stanley is bound to take a little extra time in considering his future this time around.
When queried whether the medical protocols were sufficient for concussion injuries in rugby given the recent examples of NFL players becoming depressed after suffering head knocks during their careers, Lam said: “Concussion is part of contact sport. You don’t want it happen but chances are high when you’re smashing into each other.”
Stanley’s injury was by far the worst on the Blues’ list.
Prop Tony Woodcock’s arm injury which forced him from the field in Christchurch is unlikely to prevent him from playing the Highlanders at Eden Park on Saturday.
Lam said he could get outside fullback Rudi Wulf back from a shoulder injury and loose forward Chris Lowrey could return from concussion suffered three weeks ago against the Hurricanes.
If the Blues reached a nadir with their loss to the Crusaders, it’s not going to get any easier against the Highlanders, who battled their way to a deserved 16-11 victory over the Bulls in Dunedin on Saturday.
Lam said his players were down and the challenge for him and his coaching staff would be to get them up again.
“There is that mental barrier. Obviously everyone is hugely disappointed and it’s a matter of selecting the right team to bring that energy and enthusiasm and those guys who can step up.
“Without a doubt the Crusaders were clinical, well stocked and a good side. They really took it to us. When you have a team like that if you make errors they will punish you. Certainly once the momentum got going it was difficult to stop. The boys kept trying but it was a difficult night for us.”
Lam is missing six players to the All Blacks at their training camp in Auckland this week, although two, hooker Keven Mealamu and prop Charlie Faumuina, are injured. Ali Williams, Piri Weepu, Ma’a Nonu and Woodcock will return to the Blues on Wednesday.
Lam insisted the four wouldn’t be too distracted by their All Blacks duties ahead of the first test against Ireland on June 9.
“They’re professional,” he said.