Doubt cast on protective headgear's value

The protective qualities of padded headgear have been questioned during an inquest into two rugby league players who suffered fatal head injuries despite wearing the helmets.

Comments by Wellington neurosurgeon Graham Martin that the headgear would have little effect in high-impact collisions have surprised New Zealand Rugby League, which said it was considering making the gear compulsory for all players.

Wellington coroner Garry Evans yesterday reserved his decision in the inquest into Porirua man Aarron Blair MacDonald, aged 25, in May 1999, and Leonardo Felise Va'a, 26, of Wainuiomata in January 1998.

Inquest Sergeant Stephen Watson said that Mr Va'a, a key player for the Wainuiomata Rugby League Club and the brother of Samoan rugby international Earl Va'a, suffered fatal head injuries during a game.

"Subsequent medical checks revealed that he had been previously told by a doctor not to play rugby of any kind because of an earlier injury, but had played contrary to direction," Mr Watson said.

The court heard that Mr MacDonald may also have died from "second impact syndrome," after evidence was given that he suffered a knock to the head with a cricket ball some weeks earlier.

Dr Martin said Mr Va'a was admitted to hospital for a serious head injury during a game in 1993 but six months later was again playing.

Despite medical advice - and advice from his family - to stop playing contact sport, Mr Va'a refused but consented to playing with a helmet, Dr Martin said.

Dr Martin, a neurosurgeon with 30 years' experience, said the foam rubber headgear would have little protective benefit, particularly for those who had suffered recent head injuries.

- NZPA