Anyone who thinks rugby’s escalating crackdown on head contact is going too far should spend a little time with the story of World Cup winner Steve Thompson.

The 2003 England hooker, who is suffering early onset dementia and suspected CTE chronic traumatic encephalopathy, gave a harrowing interview in The Times last week ahead of next week’s release of his book on his struggles with brain injuries he believes are due to his rugby career.

The Times also ran an extract from the book, ‘Unforgettable: Rugby, Dementia and the Fight of My Life’ in which Thompson, 43, reveals he has no memory at all of the triumphant 2003 tournament which culminated in Jonny Wilkinson’s match winning drop goal against the Wallabies.

He recalls rewatching the games from that tournament with a work colleague, and being unable to remember what he was watching unfold on the television.

As for the final celebrations, he writes: “On the podium I spot myself stood between my fellow front-row forwards, Phil Vickery and Trevor Woodman. I see myself jumping about as the trophy is passed around. Normally, when you look back on a big occasion in your life, your heart rate increases, you feel excitement, the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. None of that happens. I don’t expect it to. By now it’s all become very obvious — that part of me, that version of me, is dead. I held the World Cup and I don’t remember it.”

Watching the game, “All I see is a fat lad, round head, big arse… Knowing what I do know now, I 100 per cent wish it had never happened.”

Thompson doesn’t remember meeting the Queen to accept his MBE, nor the victory parade though London’s West End.

Thompson’s diagnosis was made public last year and he is part of an action by a number of former players seeking compensation and action from rugby’s governing bodies, alleging authorities failed to act on clear evidence of the risks of head injury.

The Times says lawyers for the players believe as many as 50 per cent of professional players from Thompson’s era will end up with neurological problems. Thompson says 300 former rugby players have already come forward with suspected symptoms.

Since being diagnosed, Thompson, who details in gut-wrenching detail his struggles with his family, has become a powerful advocate for change in the sport.

Steve Thompson, England (Photo by Mike Egerton – PA Images via Getty Images)

“I didn’t know rugby could be lethal,” he told The Times. In the book he argues the professional era has made the game too reliant on power and strength.

“I went from someone with real agility to a solid block with a 24-inch neck. I was basically half man, half bull,” he said.

“Time and again, I’d be knocked out training and the level of concern from those around me would be nothing more than a shrug of shoulders. After all, it was just Thommo, and Thommo was always OK, wasn’t he? Now I believe I did my job but the people around me didn’t. They were dishonest and they hid stuff.”

He argues that even now, “there are people in rugby, from top to bottom, who remain oblivious to the risks.” 

Thompson and other affected players are arguing for players to be given annual brain scans, concussion holidays of three weeks, better medically trained pitch-side personnel and limits on contact in training.

And he’s called for laws around replacements to be changed.

“A situation has arisen where teams can throw on eight fresh subs and use them to smash a vulnerable opposition,” he told The Times. “They should only ever be used in the case of injuries.”

Time for Reds backs to step up in JOC absence

Returning Queensland Reds fullback Jock Campbell says he and his teammates will need to take a step up after the loss of James O’Connor for the next month.

O’Connor suffered a knee injury in a collision with Wallabies teammate Andrew Kellaway in the Reds’ win over the Rebels last week and could be missing for up to six weeks, according to the Reds.

Campbell is just coming back into the team after a broken hand, and will slot into the No.15 jersey – a position he played impressively in the opening few rounds before he was shifted out to the wing for Jordan Petaia.

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Petaia will also miss Saturday’s match against the Hurricanes with a minor hamstring injury while Lawson Creighton will start his first Super Rugby game in place of O’Connor.

“He’s a big loss and has been steering the ship for us for a while,” said Campbell of Wallabies veteran JOC. “But Lawsy’s been training here all pre-season and everyone gets injuries. We’re confident he’ll do the job for us.”

Creighton has had a lot of time in the No.10 role at training. “The first time he played on the wing was in a game,” said Campbell. “He’s been preparing as a ten and because he’s a great footy player and very versatile he can play multiple positions.”

Campbell acknowledged that he might need to take on more responsibility as a play maker in JOC’s absence.

“A few of us need to step up,” he said. “Lately James has even told us to step up a bit more to let him roam a bit instead of always being the dominant caller, so we’ll l;ook to cotinue that whether it be Hamish, Hunter or myself. We’re confident we’re pretty fluent and can step into that first receiver role.”

The Reds are eager not to let a good start to the season slip, as they did last season after winning Super Rugby AU.

“The results are fresh in the memory and we’re not afraid of saying that – we got played a little bit by the Kiwis. They were a lot better than us last year,” said Campbell.

“You’ve got dynamic players like Ardie and Julian Savea, Jordie Barrett – dynamic balls players who like open play so we’ll try to limit that as much as we can and give the ball to them on our terms.”

Edmed’s got ‘all the tools’

The Waratahs’ experienced Welsh centre Jamie Roberts has given a ringing endorsement of 21-year-old flyhalf Tane Edmed, after the youngster retained his spot for Friday’s game against the Chiefs.

Edmed will play in the No.10 with Ben Donaldson brought back into the squad via the bench, while Roberts starts with Lalakai Foketi missing for personal reasons.

“I just love his confidence,” Roberts said of Edmed. “His kick, run, pass decisions are every good. He’s very mature for his age as a ten.

Tane Edmed (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

“He wants to play but I think he has discipline in his approach as well. He’s a tough cookie, puts his body on the line and he’s got all the tools to to play at the top level and he’s in a great environment to do that.

“There’s competition for the 10 jersey here – I know he’s a very ambitious player. “

Edmed has been rewarded for his strong form, and Roberts said competition for places was healthy for the unit.

“Tane has come in and taken his opportunity with both hands, he’s been awesome so he keeps the jersey,” said Roberts.

“For any team that wants to achieve you have to have those battles in positions and lads desperate for the jersey. We have that.”

Roberts, who followed his partner Down Under to Sydney and was snapped up by Tahs coach Darren Coleman, says he’s relishing being part of a young team that’s on a high after an upswing in results.

“For me that energy and exuberance of youth is awesome because I’m a bit further down my career now,” Roberts said.

“I get a huge amount of pleasure out of seeing my co-players improving and putting in great performances.”