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Legendary All Blacks tighthead prop Carl Hayman reveals the personal struggles that led him to join a concussion lawsuit against rugby authorities. This revelation sheds light on the ongoing challenges faced by former players and the implications for the sport's governing bodies.
Hayman is part of a class action lawsuit involving over 1,100 former rugby players, including notable figures like Steve Thompson and Gavin Henson. They allege World Rugby, the RFU, and the WRU failed to protect them from neurological conditions linked to their time on the field.
The former All Black, who earned 46 Test caps from 2001 to 2007, has battled insomnia, severe headaches, and emotional instability. After struggling to find adequate support in New Zealand, a mutual friend connected him with Alix Popham, who shared eerily similar symptoms. Hayman described feeling like he was losing touch with reality, often riding his bike in the early hours of the morning due to sleeplessness.
In 2021, Popham encouraged Hayman to travel to the UK, where he finally received a diagnosis after extensive testing. Hayman's journey highlights the urgent need for better care and awareness regarding the long-term impacts of head injuries in rugby.
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