Queensland Reds stalwart Anthony Fainga’a retires at 32 due to concussion concerns

As a player Anthony Fainga’a was known for his toughness but when he announced his retirement on Wednesday he urged players from all codes to be honest with themselves about concussion.

Reds v Crusaders. Anthony Fainga'a for the Reds. Pic Mark Calleja

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In the weeks after the rattling concussion that Anthony Fainga’a copped in 2015, he was thrilled to be best man at his twin brother Saia’s wedding.

Except for the blank spots.

There are moments from the church in Brisbane that are lost from his mind forever and it was a scary warning that the former Wallaby has finally heeded.

The centre formally announced his retirement on Wednesday at 32, with the message that footballers in all codes should be more honest with themselves and take head knocks more seriously.

“You can repair joints and bones but you only get one head and the big reason I’m saying this is so more players feel they can be more open about their head health,” Fainga’a said.

“Saia’s wedding day was a bit of a blur to be honest.

Reds v Crusaders. Anthony Fainga'a for the Reds. Pic Mark Calleja

“I’m fit and fine but I did take stock and ask myself ‘is it worth it?’ after a knock in my second-to-last game in Japan recently gave me blurred vision again.”

Always known for his kamikaze tackling, Fainga’a calculates he’s had four concussions and a few other knocks since his concerning jolt for the Queensland Reds against the Crusaders in 2015 in Christchurch.

He was scared back then. Weeks after the game, he had episodes where he couldn’t walk straight, felt fatigue and a sore neck like he’d just played a game, or his vision was blurred.

“I don’t want to play on and not remember my kids’ names because of another knock one day,” Fainga’a said.

“We are doing everything we can in Australia to have good education and practices around head knocks but we can still do more.

“As players, you always push to get back on the field.

Fainga'a was known as a tough and tenacious competitor. Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images.

“I’ve loved every minute of my rugby and that makes this a hard moment after talking it through with my brothers and family.”

A full life with wife Stephanie and daughters Malia, two this month, and six-month-old Gia means more.

Fainga'a has been working in property insurance, will stay active and play touch, but the on-field career that took him to the highs of 23 Tests and more than a decade of Super Rugby with the Reds and Brumbies is over.

At his best, he was the physical headfirst tackler who helped muzzle Sonny Bill Williams in the centres when the Reds won the Super Rugby final in 2011.

He was the replacement who made the clattering low tackle and quick wrestle for the ball for a penalty to seal the 14-9 win for the Wallabies in Durban the same year.

■ FLYHALF Hamish Stewart (shoulder) is fit to face the Chiefs in the Reds’ final trial at Ballymore on Friday night when Wallaby Samu Kerevi will return to captain the side.

The high-quality hitout is vital preparation for the Reds’ Super Rugby opener against the Highlanders in Dunedin on February 22.

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