Report into Toowoomba Grammar rugby spinal injuries released

THE review prompted by serious injuries suffered by Toowoomba teens Oliver Bierhoff and James Kleidon has revealed its findings into the incidents

AFTER months of reviewing information, a panel set up by Rugby Australia investigating a spate of serious spinal injuries in the Greater Public Schools competition has revealed its findings.

The national body was prompted into action after two Toowoomba Grammar School students, Oliver Bierhoff and James Kleidon, were both left hospitalised during training and GPS matches.

The pair were two of four players to sustain serious injuries in the competition in a short space of time.

Ollie Bierhoff after his first operation. Picture: AAP Image/Steve Pohlner

Mr Bierhoff, 18, suffered a dislocated spine and fractured disc after a training drill and was told he may never walk again.

Mr Kleidon, 17, suffered a dislocated spine the day after in a game against Brisbane Grammar.

The report has now described those incidents as unrelated and dissimilar after assembling an urgent review on the back of four serious spinal injuries last year to probe safety issues in the GPS competition.

Ollie Bierhoff playing rugby before the injury.

The review has found the two Toowoomba incidents were not the result of any "fouling" and that Rugby Australia would set up a French-style "front row passport scheme" in the wake of them to address safety concerns at the junior level.

Toowoomba Grammar School was asked to consider changing how "rugby is offered" and to review its insurance cover to include risk of serious injury.

Anton Rose

Follow @antonrosetweet

Originally published as