Wallaby who overcame cystic fibrosis to play rugby diagnosed with MND
Former Wallaby Nathan Charles, who defied cystic fibrosis to play international rugby, has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND).
Former Australian rugby player Nathan Charles has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND). Charles, a 37-year-old hooker who played four Tests for the Wallabies in 2014, revealed the diagnosis during an interview with Stan Sport. He had been experiencing difficulties for eight months before receiving the diagnosis, which has been overwhelming and cruel for him.
The news of Charles' MND diagnosis comes amid MND dominating sporting headlines in 2026, following the death of 2025 Australian of the Year Neale Daniher and Queensland State of Origin representative Jai Arrow's diagnosis. Charles, who played Super Rugby for the Western Force and Melbourne Rebels, as well as short stints in England and France, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as a child.
His remarkable career in contact sport, despite his cystic fibrosis diagnosis, earned him the nickname "defied science" from then Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie. Charles now uses mobility aids and faces challenges in performing daily tasks, but acknowledges that his journey with MND will vary from person to person.
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