Andy Hazell retires due to concussion

Andy Hazell has today announced his retirement from rugby after a 17 year career spent solely at Glaws.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/26019840

His retirement casts further attention on the perils of concussion for rugby players and he makes a very interesting comment that younger players would have lied about the symptoms and played on no doubt causing far worse problems.  Fortunately Hazell was at the end of his career anyway and took the very sensible decision to be honest and call it a day.

For a number of years he was the best English 7, but after his well publicised bust up with John Wells he wasn't ever going to add to his 7 caps.  That did mean though that Glaws supporters got to see him week in week out fulfilling the role of a proper poaching 7.  His support lines were excellent and I think we saw the best of him when working in conjunction with Pete Richards.

It is often easy to eulogise players upon news of their retirement, but Hazell will be remembered as a true Gloucester legend.

Cracking player and tough as old boots to go with it.

Aye, that's some playing career

PS On a slight digression, i notice that Craig Clark of Connacht will take a break from the game after suffering 10 concussions in the last 22 months

I'm really glad that Clark is taking a break.

10 episodes of brain injury in a lifetime is a lot.

Ben Herring retired with a similar issue a few years back. Shame to see, 17 years a professional with your home town team and international recognition is a good run. Hope he stays on too coach Kvesic who could use some of his tips.

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Aye, that's some playing career

PS  On a slight digression, i notice that Craig Clark of Connacht will take a break from the game after suffering 10 concussions in the last 22 months

His break might need to be permanent. Jeez, that is bad.

Whenever he came to Sixways I thought that he was a right royal pain in the rear. He seemed to be glued to the ball......

And I mean that as a compliment. I have rarely seen a seven as good as AH, and I entirely agree with the original poster who stated that in his pomp he was the best English 7.

I told Matt K to learn all he could off Andy, and if he does he too has the potential to be a great player.

I salute you Mr.Hazel. A magnificent player. And something rarely seen these days, a true 7.