Tom Robinson, a former Blues forward and captain, has talked about his battles with concussions, which have gotten so terrible that he fears being called up for the national team.
Because of his long, flowing red hair and nearly two-meter height, Robinson, 30, was a cult figure while he was playing in New Zealand.
Before signing a deal with Toyota Verblitz in Japan last year, Robinson earned more over 50 Super Rugby matches for the Blues since making his debut in 2019.
However, Robinson abruptly announced his retirement from the game on social media last month.
Robinson disclosed on Instagram that he was afraid of being called up to Ian Foster’s All Blacks due to a string of concussions.
He remarked, “The problem with concussions is that you can never really tell if you’ve had one or not.”
“The return-to-play protocol is something you can follow, but it’s not like a knee where you can get a head scan and see if you’ve had a concussion.
This conflict could last for months at a time. And I recall that there was some discussion about how unfortunate I was to not be included in the All Blacks at the conclusion of the Blues season. However, I recall thinking, “I really hope I don’t get called in,” as I was engaged in this mental conflict.
“I didn’t want to be there at all. The dream was that. Being an All Black was my life’s ambition, and I was hoping I wouldn’t get called up. I didn’t want to be there at all.
Robinson described how head knocks hampered his career, beginning when he was a schoolboy and continuing throughout his professional career.
The dynamic attacker was so concerned about his health that he even made up an injury to avoid playing.
He explained, “I had three concussions in 2021, pretty much in one season.” I can’t recall, but at that point, I was up to roughly six or seven. Concussions are too common.
“I recall that during my final season with Northland, I began to see stars. even when I wasn’t lifting in a lineout or doing other contact-related tasks. Additionally, it had occurred previously, albeit not as frequently.
I started to withdraw from a lot of games at this point because I detested having to do it. I felt like I was failing the team, so I disliked doing it. I didn’t want anyone to start doubting the veracity of these concussions at this point.
I recall thinking that I wouldn’t have to play if I missed this block of wood and struck myself in the leg with the axe as I was cutting firewood.
In reality, I pretended to have a hamstring ailment that week. And I withdrew.
In 2021, Robinson filled in as Blues captain for the whole Super Rugby Aotearoa season due to the absence of usual leader Patrick Tuipulotu.
In addition to teaching yoga, Robinson and former Blues teammate Josh Goodhue developed Zinc or Swim, a sunscreen brand.
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