'Trembling, headaches, migraines' halt Lambie's career
REACTION: Springbok flyhalf Pat Lambie’s sudden retirement has shock not only South Africa but the world.
His decision to return was due to persistent post-concussion symptoms.
However, the star opened up on the severity of his health.
Lambie, a 28-year-old who has played 56 times for South Africa, announced his decision earlier in the day in an interview with French sports daily L’Equipe.
I can’t put into words how grateful I am for the rugby journey I’ve had. There are so many people who have made it possible, and so many who have shown love and support. Thank you to you all! On to new adventures…
— Patrick Lambie (@PatLambie) January 19, 2019
The flyhalf had been expected to return at the end of January after eight months on the sidelines, but had decided to end his career following numerous concussions and “persistent post-concussion symptoms”, he told L’Equipe.
Lambie said he had already contemplated retirement before arriving in France after three concussions in South Africa, “two of them serious.” After the last, in May 2017, he did not play for six months.
He suffered a further concussion at Oyonnax in December 2017. The symptoms, he said, “lasted about 40 days”.
“I was able to play again at the end of February [2018], I felt OK but I was not at my best,” he said.
He appeared in the European Cup final in May but limped off with a ligament injury as Racing lost to Leinster.
He said that as his knee recovered the concussion symptoms grew worse.
He described “trembling legs,” headaches, migraines and eye irritations.
“I have not been able to do any weight sessions in the last two and a half months because I had a terrible headache.”
“I followed the advice of two neurologists,” he said. “They advised me to stop rugby.”
The sudden retirement of Pat Lambie because of post-concussion problems “is a shock,” teammate Dimitri Szarzewski said after Racing 92 beat Scarlets in Europe on Saturday.
Lambie was at La Defense Arena to see his teammates beat Scarlets and win their pool in the European Champions Cup on Saturday.
“I immediately imagined myself in his place,” said former France hooker Szarzewski, who is 35, adding that when Lambie arrived “we knew he was a bit fragile.”
Fullback Brice Dulin said Lambie had off-field developments to focus on.
“Pat is the same age as me, it’s weird. But it’s a decision of life, he will be a dad very soon,” Dulin said, after Racing advanced to the knockout rounds of a competition in which they have lost two finals in the last three years.
“I just hope that in a few months we will have a nice tribute to him.”
Agence France-Presse
Gutted to hear of your premature retirement brother @PatLambie great player, great career, great teammate and a better friend. All the best with the next chapter ❤️🙏🏾👊🏾 pic.twitter.com/tkKJqTvUgE
— Tendai Mtawarira (@Beast_TM) January 19, 2019
Never nice seeing a player, especially one as talented and young as @PatLambie, have to call it a day through injury.
From a young age the ultimate professional and exuded maturity far beyond his years.
Congrats on everything you’ve achieved my friend
— Bryan Habana (@BryanHabana) January 19, 2019
So so sad 😞 to hear this gentleman @PatLambie had to call it a day on the game _ was a huge honor to play with & against you champion _ all the best with you and Kate on the next chapter #ThanksForLessons #StayBlessed #TheUltimateProfessional #TheGeneral 🥇 pic.twitter.com/vmUJHx0d9E
— Juan_De_Jongh (@JuanDeJongh) January 19, 2019
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