My first (documented) concussion!

Today was the final away game of the season at Singleton. I got up at 7:30AM (on a Saturday, bah!) and caught the train to University, where I met up with some friends and caught a ride to the grounds, nearly an hour and a half away.

The grounds were surprisingly green, none of this mud and clover stuff we've been seeing as of late. Also, all four of our divisions were there, so the team doctor, strappers, club president, and other assistant coaches traveled with us.

I started the second half. Soon after getting into the game (I think), I somehow was flipped over something and landed squarely on my forehead, near my temple. Hard. It made sense at the time, how it happened, I got pushed or tripped over something, but now, I can't remember exactly how it happened. I do remember a big flash and then laying on the ground for a couple of seconds. Then I got up and tackled somebody.

I finished the second half. I can't give you a timeline, but the following events did happen. I ran the ball a handful of times, including a 20 or 30 meter run with two broken tackles, a spin, and finally getting tackled at the 10 by the last person possible...so close! Someone on our team was making a tackle. I came in and grabbed the ball from the ballcarrier...he didn't let go. A ruck formed around us. I had a good grip on the ball and somebody was just about trying to break my finger by twisting it backwards. Okay, I can play dirty too....I grabbed both of his wrists and twisted them behind his back. Oddly enough, you can't hold the ball without hands, and he dropped it. I drew a penalty by contesting a ball on the ground (which I think I've actually done every week). I don't remember much else about the game, but we did win 47-0. Our "kicker" went out with a hamstring injury part through the game (after going 4-4, much better than the 0-4 that cost us last week's game). We scored a try at the end, and had no kicker. Somebody volunteered. The ball was placed near the sidelines, about 35 meters out, a long kick. He really got ahold of it, and it grazed the inside of the left upright, (just to be dramatic, he would later claim).

After the game, I could tell something wasn't right. I was really hot and sweating way too much. I was dizzy and almost fell over a few times whilst trying to put on my shoes. My vision was really blurry, and I felt like I wanted to throw up. After I got changed, I found the "physio" (team doc) and said something like "Hey doc, something's not right. I feel like I'm drunk, I can't see straight, and I feel my vocabulary is suffering." He asked me if I took a blow to the head, and I did remember that I did at some point, did some field tests and then told me I was concussed, not to drink anything or drive anywhere, and to go to the hospital if I develop terrible headaches.

After this, the whole team sat around and watched our three other grades. We trounced them on all levels...I think some of this was due to them having three teams playing four grades, many of the players were worn out from our game. The other three divisions won 26-0, 78-3, and 26-5. Ouch. There were some absolutely ridiculous moments I wish I had video of...razzle dazzle behind the back passes into open field, kicking the ball down field, having it bounce just behind the person trying to field it and the kicker grabbing it himself for a try, lots of fun stuff.

As I mentioned, many of the players were staying up in Singleton and drinking all day. I was thinking of staying, but decided against it, after the game. You can drink a lot of beer during three rugby games, and there were many funny things that happened, but I'm afraid I've forgotten most of them. One thing I do remember is after a particularly illegal tackle, a member of their team was talking to the ref. "IT'S HIS BIRTHDAY! GIVE HIM A CARD!" rang out the jeers. The yellow card was shown, and the entire visitor's section started singing "Happy Birthday". I laughed hard. Some of the other players mentioned that I still run with the ball "like an American". I've been trained that when, in traffic, both hands cover the ball, only moving the ball to one hand when you are in open field. Rugby players don't really carry the ball with two hands, but instead turn to the side alot, and use alot of stiff-arm. Also, I apparently still run like I'm wearing pads. Haha. Also, I'm not allowed to leave, the team wants me back next year.

I messed up my elbow somehow and have bruises and scrapes all over my legs and arms. The elbow hurt a ton after the game, but subsided into a stiffness now, we'll check it tomorrow.

Also, I was invited to Rugby 7's at Byron Bay, which is about 6 hours north of here. The university takes a team up there every October to play in a social tournament. It's 7v7 rugby on a smaller field, and apparently, you drink much between games and play and drink beer all day. My only question: "Do you have to die to get in?!"

I was asked where I wanted to eat on the way home, and I told them it may be my only chance to try Hungry Jacks, as there is not one in Newcastle. Hungry Jacks=Burger King. I walk inside, and lo and behold, they still have the Spicy Chicken TenderCrisp...the very same sandwich that broke my heart when it was unceremoniously dropped from the menu a number of years ago. I was addicted to this sandwich for a long period of time, and although it was still different from what I remembered, it was definitely close enough to fill the longing.

I really had much more to type! Funny stories! Perhaps I'll remember them tomorrow.