New Zealand Rugby has admitted a mistake was made in allowing Irish prop Jeremy Loughman to return to the field of play against the Māori All Blacks on Wednesday.
Loughman was visibly dazed after making contact with the ball in the second minute of play and fell over trying to get back on his feet.
He then had to be supported by referee Wayne Barnes to stand, and was then assisted by an Irish medical staff member.
According to the rules of world rugby, players who have an obvious concussion must be immediately removed from the game and observe a period of 12 days.
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Hosting union for the Māori All Blacks-Ireland clash, NZ Rugby was ultimately responsible for managing the match and issued a statement Friday saying that Loughman had not been allowed to return.
“New Zealand Rugby evaluated the HIA process during the Māori All Blacks match against Ireland at the FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton on Wednesday, June 29,” NZR medical manager Karen Rasmussen said in a statement.
“As a result of this assessment, NZR believes that Irish prop Jeremy Loughman should not have been allowed back on the field in the first half.
“While NZR supports the existing HIA processes and is satisfied that players’ well-being is the number one priority for medical staff during the match, we identified a communication gap which meant that critical video evidence was not fully processed as part of the match. Head Injury Assessment (HIA) process conducted by the match day independent medical team.
Billy Stickland/INPHO via Photosport
Jeremy Loughman, third from the right in this photo, queues up for the national anthem for the Māori All Blacks match.
“We will strengthen the entire HIA process and protocols for the rest of the Steinlager Series to ensure video evidence is more accurately communicated between independent medical staff on match day so they can make the right decision regarding player safety. .”
The Loughman incident was strongly condemned by UK-based player welfare group Progressive Rugby.
“Both are protocol and process failures,” Progressive Rugby posted on its website.
“Protocol because they didn’t immediately remove and process the player because the HIA, which was set up to protect the player, failed to identify brain damage that was obvious.
“These incidents are not only potentially catastrophic for the player, they send a terrible message to the wider rugby community and to those considering becoming a part of it.
“In a week when the governing body blew the trumpet of player welfare, would you think the medical team would have been ready to be super careful?
“So you’re starting to wonder if World Rugby is playing a tune that not everyone is listening to?
“And if so, isn’t it time for the governing body to flex its muscles and show that confirmed failures are simply no longer tolerated?”