ITM Cup players not wearing mouthguards

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Tue, 10 Aug 2010 6:41p.m.

The competition’s image is in danger of being tarnished by players showing a lack of respect for their own well-being

The competition’s image is in danger of being tarnished by players showing a lack of respect for their own well-being

By Hamish McKay

Interest in rugby's ITM Cup has been boosted by a flurry of upsets that, after two rounds, has Counties-Manukau on top of the table.

But the competition’s image is in danger of being tarnished by players showing a lack of respect for their own well being by not wearing mouthguards – one of the most basic precautions against concussion.    

It is compulsory for young rugby players to wear mouthguards – even at training, but in the ITM Cup, players from a number of provinces aren't bothering to wear one.

Northland veteran David Holwell doesn't wear one because it affects his ability to communicate – but he carries one in his sock.

But ACC aren't happy with players ignoring a rule that applies to all rugby below Super 14.

A survey of all 14 ITM Cup sides found only one province without a policy, but all encouraged their players to wear mouthguards.

But regardless, it is up to referees to enforce the rule.

If a player refuses to wear a mouthguard he can be red carded – whatever their excuse.

One team who do follow the rules is Tasman, although that may have something to do Nelson Orthodontics being a team sponsor.

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Comments

12 Aug 2010 02:19p.m.

Jo wrote:

The law for players to have to wear a mouthguard was introduced in 1998 and would have been a big change for some of the exising players at the time, and still is for some today as we can see. Acc cant be set up to not pay for some people who chose not to follow certain laws or where would that end and also does not support their no fault scheme. All I can say is if mouthguards are here to stay then hopefully it will become the norm for our youger generations who will have had to do it from the beginning of their little rugby careers.

11 Aug 2010 07:55a.m.

Maddog wrote:

Most of my playing career I didn't wear a mouthguard as I couldn't breath properly with one in due to mangled cartilage in my nose (from rugby accident) that ACC won't cover the repair for. I've never worn a cycling helmet as they limit your vision and give me a damn headache when I've tried to wear one. If someone wasn't wearing a helmet or mouthguard and had an related accident then ACC shouldn't cover them, that's pretty simple. Then all the non-playing bureaucrats who love to create and enforce as many restrictive rules in our wonderful nanny cottonwool society could find something else to get angry about.

10 Aug 2010 07:07p.m.

Katarina Leaf-Dobbs wrote:

I watched the sports news with interest to see what was the hoo haa about mouthguards.What a surprise I got to hear grown men moan and groan about having to wear them.One MAN said he didn't want to cover up his smile,another said they were hard to get used to and still another wears his in his socks.What a bright spark,thats going to save his teeth.I say SUCK IT UP.If our kids have to wear them because of safety and thats'the rules then so do they.As a tax payer I am sick of my tax dollar being used to pay sport related injuries through ACC.Get over yourselves and take responsibility for your choices and actions.Our kids watch you and try to emulate what you say and do.Set a better example.