George North on ‘Horrible Weight’ of Concussion Debate
Wales rugby icon George North has revealed the horrible weight he carried after a series of head injuries made him a focal point in the debate around concussion. He believes his experiences ultimately contributed to a greater understanding of the issue.
It has been a decade since the winger suffered four significant blows to the head within a five-month period, forcing him to take a prolonged break from the sport. Controversy surrounding the management of brain injuries continues to plague rugby and North, Wales’ second-highest try-scorer, has now spoken candidly about the intense scrutiny he faced.
My name, for some reason, became synonymous with concussion, and at the time it was incredibly difficult because so many people were commenting, writing articles, and offering opinions, North told BBC Sport. But it actually highlighted concussion – brought it to the forefront. Much better protocols are in place now as a result.
In a far-reaching interview, the 33-year-old, who currently plays for Provence in the French second division, also commented on:
The difficult experience of watching the decline of the Wales team and the tough rebuild they face.
The desire for Welsh club rugby to maintain all four professional men’s regional teams in an ideal world, while acknowledging that we probably need a change.
* The view that the proposed R360 rebel breakaway league sounds great for rugby.
Navigating the Concussion Storm
North’s initial concussion occurred during a Wales match against New Zealand in November 2014. He then sustained two head injuries in a game against England during the Six Nations the following year, leading to criticism of the Wales coaching staff for allowing him to remain on the pitch. A fourth head injury, suffered while playing for Northampton Saints in April 2015, resulted in a six-month hiatus from the sport. He was eventually cleared to return for the 2015 World Cup.
Initially hesitant to discuss the episode, North has now written an autobiography in which he details the aftermath of the head injuries which included struggles with his balance, a constant pressure in his head, and an inability to even do the washing up. These challenges led him to contemplate retiring from rugby altogether.
I didn’t want to talk about it because it was not a good time in my career or my life, he said. If there’s any positive to carrying that load for a bit, it’s brought it to a point where we are much more aware and know how to deal with it.
He added, At the time there was very little information in terms of knowing about recovery, the return to play protocol, so that’s why it was probably hard as well.
Confidence in Recovery and Current Health
North maintains regular contact with the specialist who aided his recovery and reports feeling no worries about experiencing any long-term cognitive effects, thanks to ongoing exercises he practices to preserve his brain and mental health.
When asked about a landmark concussion lawsuit against rugby authorities, involving hundreds of former players, and whether he would consider joining, North responded: I feel for every player on that list, obviously, but I can only really answer what my experience is. I have the utmost confidence and trust in the medical team that I worked with.
He continued, The processes that we went through – we probably went over-cautious on some aspects of it because, first and foremost, my health was the most important. I wouldn’t want to comment on other people’s conditions, but all I know is that with the medical staff, my family, my friends, myself, we only ever did what was best and what was right for me, and that’s something that I feel very strongly on.
Wales Facing ‘Tough Rebuild’
After scoring two tries on his Wales debut at age 18 in 2010, North went on to earn 121 caps before retiring from international rugby last year, making him the third most capped player in the country’s history. He was a key figure during a golden era for the team, which included two Grand Slam victories and World Cup semi-final appearances in 2011 and 2019.
Wales recently reached a record-low ranking of 14th in the world in July, following a record run of 18 defeats in 21 months.
It’s not been fun, he admitted. But sometimes you have to go through this to reset and refocus and go again. You’ve got (head coach) Steve Tandy coming in now. We’re in good hands to push forward. We’re currently going through a tough rebuild and it’s going to take a bit of time.
‘Do What’s Right for Welsh Rugby’
Welsh club rugby is undergoing a significant overhaul, with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) currently consulting on controversial plans to potentially reduce the number of professional men’s teams from the current four (Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys, and Scarlets) to two. The Welsh Rugby Players Association (WRPA) has warned that these proposals for the elite game could drive talent to leave Wales.
North, who previously played for Scarlets and Ospreys, commented: In a perfect world we’d have four regions, but is it sustainable? Probably not at the moment. Whether we go to two or three, we probably need a change to rejig the system, to start the ball rolling again.
He added, When you’re winning it covers the cracks. There were issues that I was hearing when I first got capped, and those same issues were circulating in different formats by the end of my career. I get asked all the time about having a team in north Wales and, as a passionate north Walian, I would always say ‘100%.’ But I think the bigger picture is we have to do what’s right for Welsh rugby, and to get the national team back at that level where we’re performing and competing.
R360 Breakaway ‘Sounds Great’
North is intrigued by a proposed rebel breakaway league targeting some of rugby’s top players. R360, spearheaded by former England center Mike Tindall, plans to launch next year, promising lucrative contracts, a global itinerary, and new revenue streams, although its sanctioning by World Rugby remains uncertain.
Rugby is not in a particularly great spot at the moment in terms of grassroots, finances, debt that’s within the clubs, North explained. So having this new product that’s coming out to help generate more money and interest in the game is brilliant. It’s only going to benefit the game having another stream and another point to bring new people in to make the game exciting.
George North’s journey highlights the evolving understanding and management of concussion in rugby. His willingness to share his experiences offers valuable insights for players, medical professionals, and administrators alike.
