Super Rugby
Ian Prior risked 'collapsed face' against Brumbies
ESPN Staff
July 14, 2014
Brumbies 47-25 Force (video available in Australia only)
Related Links

After suffering injuries that would have seen many players calling for a replacement, Western Force half-back Ian Prior produced a performance that will be remembered for decades. Grimacing through a broken nose as well as three fractures in a cheekbone, and instead continued to use his body as a battering ram, Prior refused to be taken off the ground until half-time.

So serious were Prior's injuries that there was risk of him succumbing to a "collapsed face", but even that would not deter the former Brumbies No.9 from continuing on his return to GIO Stadium.

"I knew where I was," Prior told Fairfax Media. "It really hurt, but I wasn't disoriented. I just wanted to help the team get into the finals. I battled as long as I could."

Prior's heroics could not earn the Force a place in the Super Rugby finals, as they went down to a rampaging Brumbies outfit by 22 points, and he now has to wait on the approval of medical staff before he can fly to Brisbane for surgery. In the meantime, the Brumbies' Jesse Mogg has offered his former team-mate a place to say.

Prior's return to Canberra quickly turned sour with just five minutes played when he copped a knee to the head. Although he knew that something was not right, he continued to play on.

"I didn't want to go off, but the doc said it wasn't very safe. He said that if I copped another knock, my whole face could collapse."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices