Rugby player shares shocking head scan

A scan has shown the shocking effects a decade of rugby has taken on Benn Robinson.

• RUGBY AND DEMENTIA SERIES - OVERVIEW

This is the scan of Wallabies prop Benn Robinson's head, taken a fortnight ago after he suffered concussion, showing the shocking effects a decade of rugby has taken on his face and nose.

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Robinson broke his nose and was concussed in the Waratahs opening Super Rugby match against the Reds.

Last week Robinson spoke out passionately about concussion, telling the Daily Telegraph that baseline tests should be taken by players before they start their professional careers.

MRI of Waratahs forward Benn Robinson's nose. Photo / news.com.au

"We should do a baseline test, get a scan of the brain, right at the start," Robinson said.

"Preventative action is the key. I've been around long enough to see players who have had head knocks and been affected by them.

"Rugby in Australia is not being reactive to concussion, we are being proactive, the ARU is pushing hard to ensure no one is slipping through the cracks, but the more conversations we can have around it the better.

"We don't want to see rugby players end up with depression, or heaven forbid, do something crazy," the president of the Rugby Union Players' Association told the Daily Telegraph.

The story was shared on Twitter by Peter Robinson, whose son coincidentally named Ben Robinson died in 2011 in Ireland after being treated three times for head knocks during a game before being sent out again.

Ben was just 14 years old, and his cause of death was officially listed as "Second Impact Syndrome", which is essentially repeated concussions.

Peter has been campaigning for concussion awareness in rugby and sport ever since his son passed away.

Benn Robinson hopes to ignite real change on this issue in his role as RUPA president.

We did suggest to the Waratahs prop that he may not be getting full value out of his vast wine collection with that nose, but he assured us his sense of smell is flawless.

- news.com.au