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Australian study finds CTE in 31 former rugby league players

3 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 9, 2026, 10:49 PM

Last updated Sep 9, 2026

Australian study finds CTE in 31 former rugby league players

Summary

An Australian study has identified 31 former rugby league players with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease that can currently only be diagnosed after death. Researchers at the Australian Sports Brain Bank examined 51 donated brains from players ranging from amateur to professional levels. The findings, presented by Jennifer Cropley at the International Sports Concussion Conference in Melbourne on Tuesday, indicate the presence of the disease in donors who were in their 20s, 30s and 40s. Identified individuals in the study include Paul Green and Keith Titmuss. These statistics are part of a broader analysis encompassing the first 150 brain examinations conducted at the facility. Reports suggest that media access to the presentation of this data was restricted during the conference.

Source Links

Zero Tackle NRL Yahoo Sports Associated Press

Key Details

•Researchers identified CTE in 31 of 51 donated rugby league brains.
•The study included individuals who competed at amateur and professional levels.
•Paul Green and Keith Titmuss were among the players identified by the study.
•Data was presented at the International Sports Concussion Conference in Melbourne on Tuesday.

Latest Updates

10:49 PMZero Tackle NRL — Shocking CTE figures emerge from rugby league study
1:27 AMYahoo Sports — Report says Australian study finds 31 rugby league players with brain disease CTE
1:27 AMAssociated Press — Report says Australian study finds 31 rugby league players with brain disease CTE - apnews.com

What they're saying

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A study has found 31 rugby league players in Australia have been diagnosed with the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported. The ABC reported Australian Sports Brain Bank findings that showed players in their 20s, 30s and 40s had the degenerative brain disease, which can only be diagnosed after death. Of the 51 rugby league players’ brains donated, 31 were found to have CTE.
— Yahoo Sports

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The Australian Broadcasting Corp. says a study has found that 31 rugby league players have been diagnosed with the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). It said rugby league players in their 20s, 30s and 40s were found to have had…
— Associated Press