is this issue serious enough for Walters not to be a Rhino at the start of next season?

So Peter Smith confirming Ward has now left.
And still not a single thing from the club on its website or social media streams that I've seen.
Appalling way to treat the club captain and a player who was very significant to our more recent successes.

Yes indeed

Something might well come out yet - remember the club did pay the bloke's wages through all this time of injury. If I didn't do my job there'd be no safety net for me - I get I don't risk lifelong physical injury but still the club has a track record of standing by players IMO.

Some people are harsh!

Paying him is our side of the contract as is risking his health & career every time he took to the paddock.
Its a two way transaction , it could well be we are working on a new off field role for him but if not its a poor way to treat a homegrown player who has had to end his time here with a broken body & serious concussion issues at 27.

We employed Crosby for years just out of compassion, and I don't think there's been any suggestion we weren't going to look after Ward either.

Do you really think Leeds is treating, or has treated Ward unfairly through his time at the club?

Some on here seem determined to find fault with the club at every step honestly. There is plenty to criticise in where we are with the playing squad, but in terms of the class and compassion the club shows on a regular basis, I don't agree they deserve negativity.

There’s definitely something going on, given the context in normal circumstances the club would have announced something at this stage.

Reports suggest 10 players are set to sue over concussio related injuries. No idea whether Stevie's one of them but I'd assume the club would have been advised not to comment if he were

I'm not in the know.

To put a more positive spin on it then maybe, just maybe, the club is continuing to pay him on the Furlough scheme to do the best for him and that is why nothing can be announced.

I put IF.

Not sure. I can't comment on junior league but my experience of coaching mini and junior RU (and my son playing) is that the game is extremely safe until they start to get bigger during growth spurt - 13/14 onwards. Even then injuries seem to be more down to body development at different rates, kids just don't grow symmetrically. I've only see a couple of bad bangs to the head in many, many games and they ended up okay. The game is not completely safe and it never will be but I think head injuries are taken much more seriously now at all levels.
Problem is by the time they get to U8's tag starts to get very physical - they just want to tackle each other.

If you cant teach them to tackle, what they going to do when they reach open age and dont know the proper techniques. coming up against someone whos been playing for twenty years against someone who hasnt spent any time developing a fundamental element of the game.
I appreciate what they are trying to do but the method is all wrong

By the way, on the topic of concussion it might be worth checking out the latest "Good the Bad and the Rugby" podcast on YouTube. If you like the guys on it is another thing but the whole 2 hours is dedicated to concussion in the game and the legal stuff going on in Union at the moment. Jamie Cudmore is a guest (Canadian forward who played in France until recently) , he is currently suing former club Clermont. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby ... stice.html Sounds like he has a good case.

By the way, on the topic of concussion it might be worth checking out the latest "Good the Bad and the Rugby" podcast on YouTube. If you like the guys on it is another thing but the whole 2 hours is dedicated to concussion in the game and the legal stuff going on in Union at the moment. Jamie Cudmore is a guest (Canadian forward who played in France until recently) , he is currently suing former club Clermont. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby ... stice.html Sounds like he has a good case.

Indeed. Tackling is introduced in stages in RU. It was part of some major changes made around 8/9 years ago. They start just grabbing then progress to full tackling. The research shows that mental development is important first so kids understand what you are trying to teach them.

Quote ="DHM"By the way, on the topic of concussion it might be worth checking out the latest "Good the Bad and the Rugby" podcast on YouTube. If you like the guys on it is another thing but the whole 2 hours is dedicated to concussion in the game and the legal stuff going on in Union at the moment. Jamie Cudmore is a guest (Canadian forward who played in France until recently) , he is currently suing former club Clermont. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby ... stice.html Sounds like he has a good case.'" I don’t follow Union closely but every game I saw Cudmore play he seemed set on dishing plenty out and starting a scrap.

Quote ="DHM"By the way, on the topic of concussion it might be worth checking out the latest "Good the Bad and the Rugby" podcast on YouTube. If you like the guys on it is another thing but the whole 2 hours is dedicated to concussion in the game and the legal stuff going on in Union at the moment. Jamie Cudmore is a guest (Canadian forward who played in France until recently) , he is currently suing former club Clermont. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby ... stice.html Sounds like he has a good case.'" I don’t follow Union closely but every game I saw Cudmore play he seemed set on dishing plenty out and starting a scrap.

This is an interesting situation. Most of the conditions are sadly ones which we can acquire naturally without playing rugby. Cause and effect is hard to prove, and negligence even harder.

Personally I would be surprised if negligence can be shown. However it does raise serious questions now when the science is seeming to indicate there might be an increased risk due to playing contact sport (and not just in rugby). Most team sports will involve the risk of physical trauma; I think sensibly it's about understanding the risks better and taking measures to mitigate them - which is what we've been seeing with the HIA and protocols introduced. Maybe more needs to be done.

You can also see the anger and frustration from the players' point of view.

That's the guy.

In Cudmore's case he was concussed in the Heineken cup semi final and failed his HIA, then the club doctor came back in and told him he needed to go back on because their second row had been injured. He got another bang and concussion. Four weeks later (after being unable to train) he played in the final and almost immediately clashed heads massively with Billy Vunipola and was badly concussed. He was ill for months afterwards and still suffers with cognitive problems.
The club doctor was clearly negligent and breached protocols - they now have neutral doctors. Expert witnesses (neurologists) were appointed by the French court and ruled that there was a case to answer.
That's a very specific case and he has evidence that protocols were broken and has medical evidence to show the direct effects.

Sheesh, I am genuinely shocked that was deemed acceptable and was allowed to happen.

It’s been confirmed this morning that Stevie Ward has retired from rugby league

Stevie Ward announcing his retirement from the sport and no mention of thanks to Sinfield or the Rhinos for the support they have given him.
He thanks all the players he has played with and against along with his partner but unless I`m missing something there`s no mention of the club which does seem odd.
Is he in a court battle?

It sounds like it doesn’t it. Hopefully we’ve read too much into it but seems strange. I think it would be rather unfair against the club if so. I fully feel very sorry for Steve he’s been a great player and a top top lad but I’d doubt he’s been treated in a way that’s lead to his retirement by the club. I hope he can secure his future in the sport I’m sure he would have great input on players welfare etc for the benefit of the wider game.

Rhino's posted that they will have a special 30 minute interview with Stevie Ward available to watch tonight from 7pm as he looks back on his career at the Rhinos following today’s announcement - on YouTube Rhino's page

Feel sick to my stomach that he's had to retire.

I really hope that we can keep him within the game as he seems such a humble down to earth young man and its a crying shame that he cant continue his playing career, though Im sure it wasnt an easy choice to make, with the circumstances and ongoing fallout from these debilitating concussions im glad that hes albeit reluctantly decided to give up the sport we all love and put his long term health first.

Gutted on fans level, but no surprise.
I'm actually not that gutted for him, as he has so much to offer in other things that he does. This game brakes players. Think we need to remember that when we are dishing out criticisms.....