Former Canberra Raiders captain Elliott Whitehead has revealed the bizarre reason his career-ending back injury diagnosis was delayed in France – medical staff at his Super League club told him they couldn't get a scan because there were too many tourists in the area.
The 36-year-old is now back in the Australian capital, beginning his coaching career as an assistant with the Raiders' under-21 Jersey Flegg Cup side, but he still can't move the toes on his left foot properly six months after the injury that forced his retirement.
Bizarre Diagnosis Delay and Ongoing Recovery
Whitehead's ordeal began in May 2025 during a Super League game for Catalans Dragons against Wigan. He suffered a back injury that would ultimately end his 17-season professional career, but getting proper diagnosis and treatment proved unexpectedly difficult.
"I asked them for scans and they kept saying, 'Oh, we can't get you in there's too many tourists'," Whitehead explained. "And I'm like, 'You're a professional club, what do you mean there's too many tourists for a scan?'"
The former Raiders star remains disappointed with how the Catalans medical staff handled his situation, feeling they "weren't really bothered" about his condition at times. The delayed diagnosis meant his L5 vertebra was pushing on nerves, sending pain down his left leg and requiring surgery.
Even now, back in Canberra, Whitehead demonstrates his limited mobility by showing he can barely lift his toes off the floor and struggles to curl them. "I've got a little bit more movement in my toes. I can curl them now, I couldn't use to do that," he said. "I can lift them up a little bit... but it's getting better, slowly."
Forced Rehabilitation in France
Whitehead faced his recovery alone in France due to the country's insurance regulations for injured athletes. He revealed he would have returned to Canberra five months earlier if given the choice, but French law required him to remain in the country for rehabilitation or forfeit his payments.
"It was hard. Being over there on my own, the language barrier, not knowing many people around the area, it took a big hit on me," Whitehead admitted. "I won't lie. It made it worse, because if I could I'd have packed up and left and come back here."
The isolation during recovery proved particularly challenging for a player known for his durability throughout his career. Whitehead played 205 NRL games for the Raiders after 191 Super League appearances, rarely missing matches due to injury until this final setback.
Despite the difficulties, Whitehead found a silver lining in his solitary confinement. "I think it helped me come to the realisation that my time as a player had come to an end, which is probably a positive in that aspect."
New Beginnings with Canberra Raiders
Now firmly established back in Canberra, Whitehead has begun his coaching journey with the Green Machine's junior ranks. He hopes to work his way through the Raiders' coaching system while mentoring young players, particularly those in the second-row position he mastered during his playing days.
"Yeah, hopefully. You know that's the plan. Everyone has to have goals and that's my goal at the end of the day," Whitehead said about his coaching ambitions. "I've got a lot to learn and it could be many years before I start to move up the ranks."
The former captain brings a wealth of experience to his new role, emphasising his commitment to learning and winning. "I'm here to learn and that's something I've always done as a player. I want to win and be competitive, and hopefully I can drive that in the teams I'm coaching."
Whitehead's return to Canberra marks the beginning of a new chapter for the beloved Raiders veteran, whose career was cut short by an injury that might have been treated sooner if not for that unusual tourist-season excuse.
