NRL 2020: Roosters’ Luke Keary, Boyd Cordner need concussion testing in NSW Origin camp
After a horror run of head knocks Roosters superstar Luke Keary has revealed he and captain Boyd Cordner must pass further concussion testing in NSW Blues camp if they’re any chance of playing State of Origin in 2020.
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Sydney Roosters superstar Luke Keary says he and Boyd Cordner are preparing to undergo and pass a series of concussion tests in NSW Origin camp this week, stressing: “Nobody would let me play if I was putting myself in danger”.
Moving into the Blues’ new Central Coast bubble on Monday, Keary spoke with The Daily Telegraph about the ongoing head knock concerns surrounding both he and the NSW skipper.
Already, several prominent commentators have urged Cordner to stand aside from this year’s interstate series after suffering three separate head knocks in 2020, which outed him for a combined eight weeks
Keary’s position has also been questioned given his own run of head knocks, the most recent coming just 12 days ago in his side’s semi-final loss against Canberra.
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The likely Blues No.6 described that incident, which saw him leave the field for a HIA and eventually return, as a “just a little bit of a spark”.
While Keary admitted that not having all the answers to an issue like concussion was “a bit scary”, the 28-year-old stressed both he and Cordner were being guided by Australia’s leading brain injury experts.
Quizzed on the debate surrounding his Blues selection, Keary said: “I haven’t heard anyone say I shouldn’t play.
“The incident (against Canberra) was just a little bit of a spark. It wasn’t too bad.
“I had a test in the sheds and passed. So I feel fine.
“And while I’m a footy player who doesn’t know much about the issue, I’m getting the very best medical advice available.
“There are some great people involved in the game now, just as there are strict protocols you have to follow to be able to play.
“So I’m confident nobody would let me play if I was putting myself in danger. Or if I wasn’t OK to play.
“I know they’re strict on this and I’m confident in the experts.”
Keary, who missed last year’s Origin series because of concussion, will be subjected to three mandatory tests inside the Blues bubble.
The Tricolours five-eighth was the only player not to train on Monday, with Cordner working alongside the rest of the squad on defensive and fitness drills.
“I just need to tick a few things off and I’ll be right to go,” Keary said of his own testing.
“They have all the cog sport tests – a verbal test with the doctor, a computer test and the ‘Return To Play’ test that involves running, weights and contact.
“All you can do is listen to the experts.
“While even the doctors don’t have all the answers yet — which is maybe a bit of a scary thing — they’re still the ones who have the most knowledge and can give advice on what to do.”
While Keary has not missed games because of concussion this year, Cordner was sidelined for two months while also enduring the tragic loss of his cousin, Joel Dark – who died after collapsing midway through a league game in Newcastle.
“Boyd has definitely had a tough year,” Keary said.
“But speaking to him over the past couple of weeks he is super keen to get stuck into Origin and perform well.
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“And at the Roosters, we definitely take a cautious approach (to head knocks). Our medical staff take it very seriously.
“Even times when the boys have said they’re right and passed all the tests they are still given an extra week or so to make sure they’re definitely OK.”
Elsewhere, Keary opted out of discussing the contract dramas surrounding Roosters halfback Kyle Flanagan, but heaped praise on Penrith No.7 Nathan Cleary.
“He’s been outstanding this year,” Keary said of the halfback he is firming to partner in the NSW halves.
“It’s actually been really cool to watch him develop.
“I was in NSW camp in 2018, back when he debuted with Jimmy Maloney
“At the time Nathan seemed so young, so raw. So to watch where his game has gone since — in just a couple of years – it’s been amazing the leaps he has taken.
“It hasn’t been all smooth sailing either.
“Penrith had a tough start to the season last year and he copped some criticism. But throughout it all he just hasn’t wavered.
“That’s been a real test of character.
“He’s been at the forefront of everything Penrith has done this year – he’s just a class player.”
Originally published as NRL 2020: Roosters’ Luke Keary, Boyd Cordner need concussion testing in NSW Origin camp