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Wallaby who overcame cystic fibrosis to play rugby diagnosed with MND
Nathan Charles overcame the odds to play four Tests for Australia. (Getty Images: Paul Kane)
Nathan Charles, who played four Test matches for the Wallabies, has revealed he has motor neurone disease (MND).
MND has dominated sporting headlines in 2026, with the death of 2025 Australian of the Year Neale Daniher and the diagnosis for Qld State of Origin representative Jai Arrow.
Former Wallaby Nathan Charles, who defied cystic fibrosis to play international rugby, has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND).
The 37-year-old, who played four Test matches for Australia in 2014, publicly announced his diagnosis during an interview with Stan Sport.
Former Wallaby hooker Nathan Charles diagnosed with MND at 37
The former Wallaby Nathan Charles, who became the first cystic fibrosis sufferer in the world to play a contact sport professionally, has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND).
The 37-year-old, who played four Test matches for Australia, revealed he has been diagnosed with the same disease as retired South Sydney NRL star Jai Arrow.
During a Stan Sport interview with former Wallaby turned commentator Justin Harrison, Charles said he had only recently been diagnosed.
“For a long period there I just didn’t know what it was,” said Charles, who retired from professional rugby in 2018.
“I’ve had that many tests, seen that many doctors and it just wasn’t getting any outcome, but my health just kept declining.
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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.
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.
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