Former Wallaby Nathan Charles Reveals MND Diagnosis — SkimNews
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- Nathan Charles, 37, who earned four Wallabies caps between 2014 and 2015 including a 12-12 draw with New Zealand, revealed on Stan Sport this week that he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease after years of unexplained health decline and inconclusive tests
- Charles overcame cystic fibrosis diagnosed at three months old, when doctors said he would likely not survive past age 10, to play Super Rugby for the Western Force and Melbourne Rebels and club rugby in England with Gloucester, Bath, and Wasps before retiring in 2018
- Charles played under the same MND cloud as recently diagnosed NRL forward Jai Arrow, former England captain and 2003 World Cup winner Lewis Moody (diagnosed 2024), Rob Burrow and Scottish great Doddie Weir, all named in the source as affected by the disease
- Wallabies captain Harry Wilson and the Australian team posted a message of support on social media ahead of Bledisloe Cup Tests against New Zealand, with Wilson telling Charles: 'We know you have a tough time ahead, but we're with you on every step of the way'
- Charles told Justin Harrison on Stan Sport that 'there is no cure' and that his physical deterioration will cut his life short, adding: 'I find it quite ironic that something else will strike me down rather than what I've been dealing with for my whole life'
Why it matters: Charles's diagnosis is the second terminal prognosis of it — the first was cystic fibrosis at three months old with a projected death before age 10 — and adds his name to a list of rugby players affected by MND in recent years that the source names explicitly (Moody, Burrow, Weir, Arrow). He remains active in Australian rugby administration as CEO of Rugby Western Australia.
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