Get AU NRL Rugby League Athlete/Member Sports Injury Rehabilitation Claim Form 2020-2024

Significant academic research suggests that rugby results in higher rates of overall injuries and concussions than American football does — often two to three times higher.

It is not surprising that approximately 1 in 4 rugby players will be injured during the season. With each player performing on average 20- 40 tackles per match. Neck injuries being all too common, it is estimated that up to 25% of these are caused when players of differing levels of experience tackle.

Injuries to the lower limbs account for over 50% of all injuries. The most common specific injuries are ankle lateral ligament tears, knee medial collateral and anterior cruciate ligament tears, groin musculotendinous tears, hamstring and calf muscle tears, and quadriceps muscle contusions.

Based on 46 studies, updated estimates of injury incidence for rugby league-related activities ranged from 14.6 per 1000 match-hr (Junior) to 431.6 per 1000 match-hr (Semi-Professional) participation levels for match activities and 5.3 per 1000 training-hr (Professional) to 97.1 per 1000 training-hr (Elite) ...

The present study of semi-professional rugby league players found an overall playing incidence of injury of 824.7 per 1000 player-position game hours, with First Grade players having the highest incidence of injury (1055.3 per 1000 player-position game hours).

Common types of injuries are musculoskeletal bruising and strains (30% of all injuries) and joint/ligament sprains (20%). More serious injuries such as fractures (8% to 20%) and concussion (7%) are less common.