MLR finally adopt HIA following stinging Robshaw criticism
This article is written by Progressive Rugby
Major League Rugby (MLR) have secured adopted World Rugby’s Head Injury Assessment protocol (HIA) for the 2022 season.
This approval is a significant step forward in dealing with head injuries. This will allow players with suspected concussions to come off the field to be assessed and return only if cleared to do so. The video infrastructure required for these protocols will be provided by Mobii Systems real time for every game.
“It has taken a lot of hard work from various stakeholders and serious financial commitment from our ownership to reach this stage. Not least, the help of our ad-hoc Concussion Safety Committee which included player representatives and expertise in concussion management. We are thrilled to be using the best possible protocol for our athletes for the 2022 season onwards,” said Commissioner George Killebrew.
Alongside HIA, the 2022 season will see improvements to the competition, including the use of a Television Match Official (TMO), a new data and analytics provider, the continuation of law variations, and a public trade tracker.
In September 2021, former England captain Chris Robshaw publicly criticised the level of player welfare in the MLR having signed for San Diego Legion.
Responding to a comment on twitter that had said they were ‘astounded’ that the MLR had failed to adopt the HIA process, Robshaw replied: “You’re dead right, this seriously needs to be addressed before the 2022 season starts by @usmlr @GeorgeKillebrew. Have seen it first-hand over there and the concussion protocols are nowhere near where they need to be for player welfare. Let’s hope things change before next year.”