Mystery around Pat Lambie's health continues

23 August 2016 - 18:36 By Craig Ray

Springbok and Sharks flyhalf Pat Lambie is still on the sidelines nine weeks after suffering a concussion – and there is no time frame set on his return. Lambie suffered a huge blow in the first Test against Ireland on June 11 and hasn’t played since.He hasn’t taken contact since and with each passing week concern grows about whether he will make a full recovery. Efforts to reach the 51-Test player have so far been unsuccessful. The Sharks would only offer: “He [Lambie] has commenced with gym training and will be eased back into field training over the next few weeks.” It’s understandable that the Sharks and Springboks are taking the conservative approach and following World Rugby’s concussion protocols for both Lambie’s health and possible legal repercussions. World Rugby’s protocols are lengthy but players have to follow a Graduated Return to Play (GRTP) programme‚ which incorporates six steps‚ starting with a rest period and then followed by progressive exercise. The player may only commence step two when all symptoms of concussion are gone.Judging by the Sharks’ statement Lambie has finally finished his rest period because‚ as per GRTP protocols‚ he wouldn’t be able to move to step two and beyond if he still had headaches or other concussion symptoms. Last week saw the first legal action taken by a player against his club over alleged mistreatment of concussion when Irish player Cillian Willis filed a suit against English club Sale for “clinical negligence.” The scrumhalf claims he was medically mistreated after a series of blows to the head in a game against Saracens in 2013.Willis was forced to retire later that season as a consequence of his concussions. He was 28 years old at the time. Clearly SA Rugby and the Sharks want to avoid any similar situation with Lambie‚ but details of his situation remain sketchy. ..

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