Australia rugby youth Gordon retires aged 22 due to concussion

PARIS: Former Australia under-20 international full-back Mason Gordon said on Wednesday he has retired aged just 22 because of ongoing concussion symptoms.

Gordon, who is the younger brother of ex-Wallabies fly-half Carter, has missed the whole of the current Super Rugby Pacific campaign for the Queensland Reds after suffering a head injury.

“After sustaining a concussion during pre-season training from which I continue to have symptoms, and with the support of medical advice, I have made the difficult decision to retire from rugby on medical grounds,” Gordon wrote in an open letter.

Misbah-ul-Haq in lead for potential red ball head coaches

“This is not how, or when, I anticipated my career concluding after I signed a contract at the Queensland Reds in October 2024, the same year I made my Super Rugby debut for the Melbourne Rebels.”

In December 2023, a group of nearly 300 former players, including England World Cup-winners Steve Thompson and Phil Vickery, launched legal action over brain injuries.

The players allege World Rugby, the Welsh Rugby Union and England’s Rugby Football Union failed to establish reasonable measures to protect their health and safety.

Injuries from head blows are said to have caused disorders such as motor neurone disease, early onset dementia, epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease.

“Concussion is a topic of interest within world sport, and I understand people might be interested in speaking with me about what I have experienced,” said Gordon.

“But I request that media respect my privacy and also my ongoing challenges.

Pacers escape 19-point hole, KO Cavaliers in Game 5

“I am grateful that I have been able to continue my studies. I’m in the final year of an undergraduate degree at QUT, studying Property Economics.

“I’m excited for the next chapter and want to thank all of the friends and family who have supported me on and off the field.”