Class action looming against major rugby bodies

An intriguing new development reported in the New Zealand Herald states that some 70 retired rugby players from around the world are currently consulting with a British law firm with regard to taking legal action against different unions whom they [the players] believe are responsible for long-term, damaging cognitive effects which they are currently suffering due to head injuries sustained during their careers.

The identities of all the players are unknown at present, All Black prop Carl Hayman confirmed he had been in talks with the law firm.

"From what I understand, it's a pretty ever-growing list of [players]. I think it's going to be something quite substantial that's going to come from it," Hayman said.

While this will be the first claim of its kind within the realm of rugby, the NFL has already dealt with one of this nature – in 2014 – when the organisation was ordered to pay out a total of $765 million in settlement after a class action involving 4500 former NFL players who suffered cognitive complications after retirement.

While it is still in the beginning stages, this could prove to be a massively significant occurrence in the sport.