Pat Lambie retired from rugby this week at the age of 28, the latest player done too soon after suffering repeated concussions. The South Africa fly-half stood out for his relative lack of weight, little more than 13st, and was a target for bulky ball-carriers.
It was a collision with the Ireland No 8 CJ Stander, a player nearly 5st heavier, in 2016 that started the countdown for Lambie’s retirement. The following year, he spent six months out after colliding with a teammate in training and suffered another concussion that December playing for Racing 92 against Oyonnax.
Written by Paul Rees
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/jan/24/rugby-union-obsession-bulk-speed-skill-pat-lambie under the title “The Breakdown | Rugby union’s obsession with bulk over speed and skill must be reversed”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.