All Black shares latest images of gruesome injuries from artificial pitch
Former All Black Lima Sopoaga is the latest player to share some horrific photos of the burns and grazes that he has received from playing on an artificial 4G pitch.
The Lyon fly-half picked up the burns to his arm against Toulon on Saturday at the Stade Gerland in the Top 14, but he is certainly not the first player to complain of such injuries.
Grazes and burns are one thing, but players like England’s Jack Nowell actually no longer play matches on the surface due to the strain it puts on their joints. But a cursory Google search into the injuries that come from 4G pitches brings plenty of results.
The unfortunate thing for Sopoaga is that the Stade Gerland is his home ground, so he is probably grateful that his next three fixtures are all away.
Take a look at his post on Twitter:
Love 4g pitches said no rugby player ever 😂😂😂🤦🏾🤦🏾 pic.twitter.com/2BRl2g6rBf
— Lima Sopoaga (@LimaSopoaga) March 26, 2023
Making progress I guess 🤷🏾♂️🤷🏾♂️😂😂. I’ll be tapped up like a mummy this weekend 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/8O0wMyWylK
— Lima Sopoaga (@LimaSopoaga) March 30, 2023
4G artificial rugby pitches are synthetic playing surfaces designed to replicate the performance and characteristics of natural grass fields used in rugby. They are made up of a layered system that includes a base layer of compacted stone or porous asphalt, followed by a layer of shock-absorbing material such as rubber or foam, and a layer of artificial turf made of polypropylene or polyethylene fibers. The turf fibers are typically around 60mm in length and are infilled with a mixture of sand and rubber granules to provide stability, traction, and shock absorption.
The advantages of 4G artificial rugby pitches are numerous. They are much more durable than natural grass fields, can be used all year round in any weather conditions, and require minimal maintenance. They also provide a consistent playing surface that reduces the risk of injury and enhances the quality of the game. Many professional rugby teams and training facilities now have 4G artificial rugby pitches installed, and they are becoming increasingly popular at grassroots level as well. While there are reported benefits, there are plenty of players that would disagree.
