Kear warns of injury crisis

By Dave Woods BBC Sport

Kear wants all clubs to take further injury-prevention measures

Super League's current injury crisis could be repeated if clubs do not invest in better preventative measures, according to Hull coach John Kear.

Many high-profile players have been forced into the treatment room just three weeks into the season.

And Kear believes the "unprecedented" injury list will become common-place unless clubs take further steps.

"The game is higher impact and faster now," said Kear, who is also the England A Coach.

Carney out for three months

"And there are some injuries you can't legislate for. Brian Carney breaking his ankle is something that will always unfortunately happen in a contact sport.

"And in cases like Andy Farrell you've got players that keep playing through bumps and bruises and it eventually catches up with them.

The players need to be looked after properly John Kear

"But we should be looking at better preventative measures. All clubs should be doing more work on core-stability, and looking at areas such as pilates.

"People might laugh, but players need greater flexibility and that is not being taken seriously enough."

It is an area some clubs are beginning to investigate.

Leeds Rhinos players, for example, have taken up yoga to improve their flexibility.

"I think all clubs should also make sure they have got fully switched on physiotherapy staff who are making the right diagnoses," said Kear. "The players need to be looked after properly."

But Kear insists the game does not need to change its approach on the field.

There has been a call in some quarters for the distance of the defending team at the play-the-ball being cut from 10 yards, to reduce impact in the tackle.

"We don't need to be doing that," he said. "And the game is certainly a lot cleaner now than it has ever been.

"But the injury problems at the moment are unprecedented and we need to be doing more to look after the players physically."