Concussion activists have suggested that: the head injury assessment process in rugby union unfit for goal after Ireland select Johnny Sexton to start against New Zealand a week after the veteran fly-half was helped off the field in the first test.
Sexton failed his first initial head injury assessment (HIA), which identifies a suspected concussion in Eden Park after a collision with Sam Cane, but was allowed to play as he passed the more substantial second HIA later that night and then a third in the coming days, which aims to rule in or out a concussion. The player was therefore deemed not to have a concussion.
Under current protocols, despite World Rugby introducing longer layoffs for players like Sexton with a history of head injuries, that is enough for a player to get fit.
Progressive Rugby, which campaigns for greater awareness of concussion in the sport, believes the best course of action would have been to exercise caution in regards to Sexton.
“Elite players who fail an in-game HIA1 will by definition exhibit cognitive impairment that requires their removal,” a spokesperson for the organization said.
“In our view, this is enough evidence, regardless of subsequent testing, to exercise extreme caution in the interest of both their short-term and long-term health.
“This warning should be further reinforced in players with a history of brain injury as there is evidence that they are at higher risk for further concussions and other injuries.”
On the HIA protocol as a whole, Progressive Rugby was more scathing. Last week, following an assessment of the incident by New Zealand Rugby, it was determined that Ireland’s backer Jeremy Loughman had not been allowed to return to the pitch after staggering to the ground during a midweek game against the Maori All Blacks. However, after passing his HIA1, Loughman returned.