Legend’s shock, personal connection in bid to fight ‘brutal’ disease

George Gregan, the chairman of the Global Rugby Players Foundation, says there is a direct line between contact sports and motor neurone disease and has called for increased research and support after Nathan Charles’ devastating diagnosis.

Jai Arrow, Rob Burrow, Lewis Moody, Carl Webb, Joost van der Westhuizen and Doddie Weir are among other high-profile rugby and league players to have been diagnosed with MND.

Nathan Charles speaks with Justin Harrison. Stan

Gregan was shocked to hear of Charles’ sad news, with the 37-year-old ex-Wallabies hooker sitting down for an emotional interview with Stan Sport’s Justin Harrison.

“Hearing it, it’s just brutal. My wife’s father lost his fight with it, but he was later in his life,” Gregan told nine.com.au during a GRPF trip to Sydney.

“It’s just a brutal disease, and we’re seeing more and more of it, in the community.

“There’s a direct correspondence with contact sports, where there’s people in contact sports - in rugby league, Jai Arrow - it’s just brutal.

“And what it does show, there needs to be research into it, there needs to be support, but as soon as this occurs, people get behind it in the way they have with My Name is Doddie (Weir, the former Scotland lock who died in 2022).

“Lewis Moody (England Rugby World Cup winner), what they’re doing in the UK, it’s something that you’d love to get a cure for. But it’s just brutal.”

Charles played four Tests for Australia in 2014, having beaten the odds after being born with cystic fibrosis.

Gregan is in Sydney with fellow legends and GRPF founders Richie McCaw and Dan Carter.

The two-day visit is aimed to raise awareness and support for rugby players facing significant challenges post their playing careers.

“It’s a great cause, and it’s not the only sport which has that situation and scenario, armed forces etc. That purpose, that loss of purpose, that loss of identity to a degree, and then what am I doing next because you’re a young person,” Gregan said.

“Like if you’re in your mid-30s, and you’ve had a really good career, if you’ve done that, life’s ahead of you, so what are you going to do?

James Slipper is congratulated on his 140th cap by George Gregan, the man he surpassed. AP

“The mission is by the players, for the players to really create that sort of toolbox of support and understanding and learning for players doing that.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Charles and his family.

Watch Justin Harrison’s interview with Nathan Charles on Stan Sport