NRL players say they are being pressured to train while recovering from concussion as Cameron McInnes speaks out on issue

Cronulla captain Cameron McInnes is not surprised more than a third of NRL players continue to train after suffering concussions, but hopes change will come to prevent long-term health impacts.

A players’ union survey found that close to one-sixth of NRL players were still hiding concussion symptoms, along with six per cent of women’s players.

The poll was distributed by the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) to 512 NRL players and 188 in the NRLW.

While not every player across the two competitions responded to every question, the Players’ Pulse survey found training environments remain a blind spot despite the sport’s strict head injury protocols.

In the last 12 months, 36 per cent of men and 46 per cent of women reported continuing to train after experiencing a suspected concussion.

Some 20 per cent of men and 33 per cent of women also claimed they felt pressured to continue training with concussion symptoms.

McInnes is renowned as one of the toughest players in the men’s competition and said he could understand the situation.

“There’s a balance, isn’t there?” he said on Tuesday.

“We still believe that gladiator aspect of our sport is something that we can never lose because that’s what makes the sport great.

“Then at the same time, it’s having the smarts to understand that if you are feeling certain symptoms, you’ve got to put your hand up and say it.

“It’s not always easy. You’ve got young kids, you’ve got people fighting for the contracts, for the squads.

“And whilst you want everyone to be honest, I can also understand that when you’ve got food to put on the tables, there are hard decisions people have to make.”

Despite the numbers, almost every player reported an understanding of the NRL’s concussion and HIA protocols, meaning they are well-versed in the formal processes and steps to follow regarding head injuries.

Concussions at training have been raised as an issue for the RLPA, given there is not the same external scrutiny as during matches.

In the past 12 months, 22 per cent of men and seven per cent of women reported having experienced a suspected concussion at training.

The numbers have prompted the RLPA to push NRL officials to conduct contact load assessments and adopt technology to monitor impacts during training.

While having never felt pressure to train following a concussion, McInnes called on his peers to work with the NRL.

“Sometimes, after the fact, you might reflect on things, go maybe that wasn’t the right thing to do,” McInnes said.

“The game’s working really hard and it’s up to us players to work with them.

“We want to play and, yeah, it’s not easy, but you just need to try and make the right decision.

“We’ve all got a future.”