Rugby not a dangerous sport, says Injera

By James Waindi

International rugby winger, Collins Injera, has disputed allegations that the sport is dangerous despite being involved in a dangerous tackle at the New Zealand leg of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens Circuit, which left fans wondering if he could ever play again.

Pictures of Injera landing head first on the ground after being tackled by England teenage winger, Christian Wade, during their group match in Wellington Sevens, elicited heated debate on local radio stations on whether rugby is a dangerous sport.

Like any other sport

However, the 23-year-old player insists rugby is just like any other sport where a player can suffer an injury at any time.

"I would like to encourage youngsters with a passion for rugby to go ahead and venture in the sport because it is just like any other. A player can be injured in all the sports, including hockey, football, volleyball and even swimming," said Injera.

Injera, who was the top try-scorer during last year’s IRB series, said proper training and luck was all that protects sportsmen from dangerous injuries.

"I can say proper training, conditioning and probably God’s mercy are what made me survive the tackle. Many players get injured probably because of lack of proper training, but there is no way someone can say rugby is a dangerous sport," he added.

"I actually landed with my neck on the ground and could have easily broken it, but I thank God because I was able to continue with the match and played the remaining fixtures, including all the matches in the Las Vegas leg of the IRB Sevens Circuit," said Injera, who vowed to better his last season’s feat of 42 tries.