World Rugby have decided against punishing the WRU for allowing George North to remain of the field during Friday night’s Wales vs England game, after he was concussed in the 61st minute. The governing body “accepts the WRU’s explanation that neither the team medical staff nor the independent doctor had sight of the incident”.
World Rugby’s full statement on the incident reads as follows:
Following a full post-incident review, World Rugby believes that Wales player George North should not have remained on the field of play following a head impact in the 61st minute of the Wales versus England RBS 6 Nations match at the Millennium Stadium on Friday night.
The World Rugby head injury protocol clearly states that a player should be immediately and permanently removed from the field of play where there are any visible symptoms or suspicion of a potential concussion.
However, following thorough discussions and input from the expert independent Concussion Advisory Group, World Rugby accepts the WRU’s explanation that neither the team medical staff nor the independent doctor had sight of the incident and understands that the medics acted within the framework of information they had at the time and would have taken a different course of action had they had direct pitch-side visibility or access to the same broadcast footage seen by those watching on television.
The impact was the second sustained by the player in the match, following a first half temporary removal for a head injury assessment. Having reviewed the incident report, World Rugby can confirm that the WRU followed correct protocols when assessing North following this first incident. The WRU has outlined that the player continues to undergo close medical supervision and is undertaking supervised graduated return to play protocols.
The statement goes on to say that they will be investigating new methods of recognising concussion in a game, such as further using the television match official’s powers – which would make sense, given that the incident must have been seen by the TMO, as it was by the entirety of the crowd after replays on the big screen and everyone watching at home.
World Rugby confirmed that independent medics will be present at all Rugby World Cup games, and have encouraged competitions such as the Six Nations to make this the rule also.
8 replies on “World Rugby clears WRU of wrongdoing over North concussion”
“had they had direct pitch-side visibility or access to the same broadcast footage seen by those watching on television.” … or those watching the massive TVs showing the replays in the stadium? Whitewash.
I struggle with this. Don’t believe for a second that not one person on the WRU staff didn’t see the images. No chance.
What is on the screens that the coaches sit in front of? Always assumed it was images/replays of the game?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-2645185/Shontayne-Hape-retires-concussions-bring-depression.html
The relevant part of this being ‘There was always pressure to play. ‘Most coaches don’t care what happens later on in your life. It’s about the here and now. Everyone wants success.’
I’m not going as far as to say that national team management instruct the team doctor to keep players on the field if at all possible (I have no evidence for this), but should it be the team doctor’s call and not an impartial doctor? The welsh medical team are in and around the players all the time and very much part of team wales and buying into the success of the team.
I think the likelihood of independent doctors is increasing every time something like this happens. Frankly this should be the rule anyway – and good to hear they are implementing it at the World Cup.
“Like” to both. It is all rather difficult to accept isn’t it.
Aren’t those “thingies” between their shoulder blades supposed to measure the impacts as well?
Well, they can’t prove wrongdoing, so no sanctions. To be expected. Wales are far from the only ones who do it, but this needs to be a wake up call.
However, as I understand it, it actually isn’t the one off big hits that are the only damaging thing, it’s the constant and repeated hits that in the end lead to brain degredation.
It’s a problem that isn’t going away, and the IRB needs to act asap.
The constant and repeated hits you describe cause the brain to impact inside the skull. This is inevitable in collision as the momentum of a player is reduced quickly to zero. Very difficult for the IRB to take these out of the game. We often hear from coaches and pundits about ‘winning the collision’ or ‘stopping a player on the gain-line’, these are fundamentals of the modern game. The only thing I can think of is to reduce the amount of game time that top professionals play. I can’t think that would go down too well amongst coaches, players, fans, tournament organisers, TV etc.
For me it was a disgrace. Just obvious he was not well and should have been taken from park!