"Concussions and Quick picks...."
Rodrigo played in his last regular season game with the Plymouth Panthers, yesterday. It also might turn out to be his last rugby match during his stay here in the USA. In the first half, while Rodrigo was tackling somebody, he got a knee to the head that knocked him for a loop and left him lying on the deck for more than a few minutes.He had some neck pain as well, but he seemed to be doing better as the game wore on-I was still adamat that he was NOT going back in to play. When we got home from the game, that Plymouth lost to Saint Michael-Albertville, he started getting severe headache pain, nausea and dizziness. I ended up bringing him to the Emergency Room. The good news is that that the CT scan showed no skull fracture-but he did have a concussion. He is out for at least two weeks. They have a playoff game next week that he won't be able to play in, but if they win-a big if-then he can play in the second round playoff game. He was really frustrated, but that is the nature of rugby-it IS a very physical game. He has needed some pain medication today, but Rodrigo is out with his mates, so obviously he is not feeling that bad.( I also had to put my foot down on proposed trip to the amusement park-the last thing a post concussion person needs is to be on those fast rides with sudden drops and decelerations.)
Quick picks for the major rugby this weekend: In the Super 14, I pick the Waratahs and the Crusaders to beat the Sharks and Hurricanes, respectively. In the Heineken Cup Final, a mouth watering matchup between Munster and Toulouse is almost too close to call. A whole lof of Irishmen will make the trip to Cardiff for the final, making it seem like a home game for the Irish powerhouse. Toulouse missing both Clerc and Poitrenaud is going to be a lot to overcome. I think I am giving the edge to Munster. In the ERC final on Sunday, I pick Bath over Worcester.
Well, my Tivo is set..and I gotta head to work.
