Rugby can ill afford these brain injury blunders
This article is written by Progressive Rugby
While the incident remains far from acceptable, you have to admire New Zealand Rugby (NZR) for the speed in which they have reviewed the handling of Irish prop James Loughman.
Loughman looked horribly dazed as he unsuccessfully tried to get to his feet following an heavy collision with the Maori All Blacks on Wednesday morning. When he did get to his feet, he appeared to be steadied by referee Wayne Barnes (firmly gripping his shirt) and then walked slowly off the field supported by an IRFU doctor.
But while reviews into recent similar incidents - Welsh Prop Tomas Francis and Georgian winger Davit Niniashvili were both seen stumbling disorientated around the field - took weeks to conclude and concede failings, NZR had released a statement within 36 hours (see below) and should set the benchmark for Northern Hemisphere unions and competitions.
Despite this commendable urgency, it remains a mystery how a blunder of such magnitude, with the spotlight so firmly fixed on head injury, could be made, especially with World Rugby’s unwavering player welfare in the number one priority mantra.
If Loughman, and the IRFU have not confirmed he did, returned to the field with a brain injury to thunder into brick walls and brave the coalface at scrum time it’s asking for trouble, if not now, then highly likely down the line.
It does make one wonder whether the early morning tranquillity at Beaumont Towers was shattered by a stream of choice language when the boss realised that Loughman was going to stride back onto the Hamilton turf.
Because while it’s essential that players are protected and there is no suggestion (other than failing to watch the footage) medics were anything other than professional, it’s also all about the optics.
What message does it send all those parents thinking about letting their children play? What example does it set the 17-year-old prop desperate to play for his country? And ultimately, what does it say about World Rugby’s authority if this continues to happen?
This great game, which offers so much, can ill afford to offer those considering becoming part of the rugby family a gift-wrapped reason to look elsewhere.
New Zealand Rugby review
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has conducted a review of the Head Injury Assessment (HIA) process followed for Ireland prop Jeremy Loughman during the match between the Māori All Blacks and Ireland at FMG Stadium Waikato on Wednesday 29 June.
The following statement is from NZR Medical Manager Karen Rassmussen, who led the review:
“New Zealand Rugby has conducted a review of the HIA process during the Māori All Blacks match against Ireland at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton on Wednesday 29 June. As a result of this review NZR believes Ireland prop Jeremy Loughman should not have been allowed back on to the field during the first half.
“While NZR stands by the HIA processes in place and is satisfied that player welfare is the number one priority for medical staff at the match, we have identified a gap in communications, which meant critical video evidence was not fully accounted for as part of the Head Injury Assessment (HIA) process undertaken by the independent match day medical team.
“We will be reinforcing the full HIA process and protocols for the remainder of the Steinlager Series to ensure video evidence is communicated more accurately between independent match day medical staff to enable them to make the right call with regards to player safety.”
Ends
“You do wonder whether the early morning tranquillity at Beaumont Towers was shattered by a stream of choice language when the boss realised Loughman was going to stride back onto the Hamilton turf.”