Martin Lang knows more than most about taking heavy head knocks.<\/p>\n
After playing more than 180 games across nine high-impact NRL seasons as a middle forward for Cronulla, Penrith and Queensland, on retirement he promptly became a neuroscientist with a focus on contact sport-induced traumatic brain injuries.<\/p>\n
So when Lang, 50, speaks on the issue of concussions it\u2019s probably worth listening.<\/p>\n
Following Monday\u2019s announcement that four members of the Tongan medical staff have been issued with breach notices<\/a> for their roles in the sickening injuries suffered by Eli Katoa in the Pacific Championships, Lang took to X to offer his highly informed perspective.<\/p>\n MORE:\u00a0Another Tiger departs as carnage continues at Concord\u2014who\u2019s next?<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cA bandaid solution for a problem not going away,\u201d Lang said of the 24-month bans, before calling for the introduction of special mouthguards to be worn by players during matches and training.<\/p>\n \u201cSolution – Mandatory use of instrumented mouthguards measuring head kinematics when an athlete is involved in a collision during practice\/match-play.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Katoa incident is prevented with the utilisation of this technology.\u201d<\/p>\n Instrumented mouthguards (iMG), commonly referred to as smart mouthguards, are an emerging sports technology<\/a> using embedded sensors to measure the linear and angular movement of the head, including impact forces.<\/p>\n Unlike externally-worn sensors that are attached to headgear for example, such mouthguards can provide a rigid connection to the player\u2019s skull making it possible to accurately measure head motion on the field, with medical staff then able to make data-informed player welfare decisions.<\/p>\n It remains to be seen if the NRL is open to embracing Lang\u2019s recommendation.<\/p>\n A bandaid solution for a problem not going away. \u2014 Martin Lang (@Martin_Lang11) December 8, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n
Solution – Mandatory use of instrumented mouthguards measuring head kinematics when an athlete is involved in a collision during practice\/match-play.
The Katoa incident is prevented with the utilisation of this technology. https:\/\/t.co\/NLCcPaHecl<\/a><\/p>\n