Super Rugby: Simple decision for brave Afeaki

HEAD CASE: Ben Afeaki says the risks of getting another head knock outweigh the benefits of playing. PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES

It's a decision that will quite rightly be called courageous. But for Ben Afeaki, it was simple.

Either retire from rugby, the sport he loved and the livelihood he had chosen, or run the risk of suffering irreparable damage to his health.

"It was definitely black and white," Afeaki said. "The risk of getting another head knock and having long-term symptoms obviously outweighed the benefits of playing."

Afeaki, 27, yesterday announced his retirement from all forms of rugby, having played his last game more than a year ago, when a head clash with Chiefs teammate Brodie Retallick saw the promising prop living in a haze.

Spells of nausea became the norm for Afeaki and while the fog eventually cleared, his career is now finished. It's a sad fate for a man whose sole All Blacks appearance came in 2013 but it is, at least, mercifully final.

Afeaki had been dealing with a level of uncertainty almost as frustrating as the months spent beset by symptoms. He was always intending on a return to the field - one head knock should hardly undo a life's work - but the green light never arrived.

It did come agonisingly close, though, with Afeaki approaching full fitness a couple of weeks ago, before another visit with specialists and tests revealed the decisive news.

"A year of symptoms and the whole time I was doing everything right and trying to return to play - it was a bloody tough year," he said. "As soon as I made the decision, I was a bit more clear around my future and a lot of weight just fell off my shoulders.

"At least I know now it's not what-if - after the initial shock for me it was a pretty easy decision and I'm happy with it."

The decision is one that will be faced by footballers in a variety of codes, with a continuing rise in concussion awareness coupled with an increase in tricky choices for athletes. But the fact that choice is even presented shows the system is working and no player is being prematurely rushed back into the arena, concussion protocols be damned.

"I was treated really carefully," Afeaki said. "There was no pressure whatsoever for me to get back on the field early and have a crack. I had numerous meetings with specialists and that was all supported from the Chiefs and North Harbour and the NZRU. At the end of the day, they couldn't have done a better job and I'm really thankful for that."

Afeaki will also be thankful his post-playing years can proceed unhindered by headaches or dizzy spells, planning an initial break from the game before looking at opportunities in and away from rugby. "I'll always in some way be involved in the rugby environment, whether it's through friends that I've made or coaching or that kind of thing."NZME.