All Blacks and Crusaders backrower Kieran Read has had two stints on the sidelines this season due to concussion related problems. Photo: AFP
More advanced sideline concussion tests will be applied in Super Rugby following SANZAR’s decision to follow the lead of the International Rugby Board.
After consultation with medical officers from the Australian, New Zealand and South African rugby unions, SANZAR has implemented the enhanced Head Injury Assessment (HIA), introduced by the IRB on 1 June to supersede the Pitch Side Concussion Assessment (PSCA) tool.
The HIA will be applied to Super Rugby and the Rugby Championship with immediate effect having been introduced during the southern hemisphere’s June Tests.
Two components of the pitch-side concussion checks have been expanded with the memory test strengthened and the balance test altered, improving the information teams and doctors have available when deciding if and when players are safe to return to action.