I have been led to believe that rugby is taking concussion seriously and that player welfare is paramount.
Concussion protocols are being strictly adhered to and it seems, for the most part, any doubt and players are sidelined, no matter what.
It’s a good thing.
We have seen many a stoppage and TMO intervention around foul and dangerous play. There have been a number of yellow and red cards dished out and suspensions awarded.
The merits of decisions regarding dangerous play have been dissected and debated often, some saying fair enough, some saying it’s all a bit soft.
Sam Whitelock’s ‘ragdolling’ last week received plenty of airtime. On Friday night, in the Crusaders’ bonus-point win over the Hurricanes, we saw another example of the crackdown by officials, binning Robbie Freuan for 10 minutes, for what was a reasonable tackle in which Nehe Milner-Skudder fell awkwardly.
It is obvious that there is a united effort to see the game cleaned up and what is considered dangerous and foul play, even remotely, will be suitably punished.
Ok then, understood.
So why the bloody hell was play allowed to continue when Matt Proctor was knocked out cold in last night’s match?
Proctor attempted a tackle on Crusader fullback Tom Taylor and his head connected with Taylor’s hip, rendering him unconscious. He was in Disneyland.
Yet play continued for over three minutes, moving from one end to another, including a stoppage. It only ended after Nemani Nadolo’s try from Ma’a Nonu’s brain explosion.
Proctor needed to be stretchered off and had numerous medical staff attend to him in this period. It was obviously very serious, yet we play on?
I was gobsmacked. Play gets halted for tying a shoelace, cramp, substitutions, replacing a ripped jersey, yet when a player is in obvious distress, we play on?
It bothers me no end that the officials are unable to establish a serious incident and act quickly. It’s one thing to miss a knock on, another a knock-out – and not when the game is supposed to be taking firm action to make it safer and more appealing.
My 12-year-old son turned to me and asked, “Why aren’t they helping him Dad?” I had no answer.
‘Think of the children,’ I hear you mutter, but what is more damaging, watching a dangerous tackle or seeing a player lying prone and receiving no attention?
It was a disgrace, and hopefully we will not see a repeat in the future.
Digby
Roar Guru
Thanks Rob. Ibn the same game I believe they stopped for Motu knee, go figure. I would of thought so Rob, just chase after the ref until he takes notice ;)
RobC
Roar Guru
Just watched the game, including the incident. It seems the Refs stop games when something looks broken or twisted. But not concussed. The doctors were on field, looking after Proctor. And it looked serious, or at least took great care to ensure he is not moved an inch incorrectly. Nevermind the rampaging game with 1,600 kilos of players running around them. Dont they have the authority to stop the game, or indicate its serious enough to stop the clock?
Wal
Roar Guru
Nice Article Digger This is not an isolated incident and there definitely needs to be a clear protocol put in place. For 2 clear reasons, players will then know exactly how to react (go and assist the stricken player) And Medical Staff won't delay entering the field for fear of getting in the way. The other obvious other example of this was Tana stopping to help Colin Charvis and prevent him form swallowing his tongue.
Jibba Jabba
Guest
xx
Jerry
Guest
Quite frankly, it should encompass the entire field when a player is so obviously in need of medical attention. Stop the f'ing game and get him looked at immediately. It's only a game. But as a general rule, if a player is severely injured and there's a reasonable chance that, if play were to continue, it could come close to him then don't allow play to continue.
Debz
Guest
Well said.
tinfoil hat
Guest
Crying = constantly complaining when things don't go your way. That's you pete. The sooner you stop the endless tears over the Skelton incident, the better for everybody.
mudjimba
Guest
Agreed. Disgraceful from the officials. We've seen a lot of sub par reffing this year but this lack of reffing takes the cake. It was sickening.
pjm
Roar Rookie
Would the rule encompass the entire field though? Or would the ref run to the knocked out player and then pace out 5m and let play continue?
Jerry
Guest
Also, I don't tink it took a trained medical person to see he needed immediate attention, he was completely starched (ie, knocked out with his limbs stiff).
Jerry
Guest
It wasn't nowhere near the player, the Crusaders tapped and ran about 2m away from where Proctor was lying out cold.
pjm
Roar Rookie
Come on Pete, a simple check of the players nationality and club will see that this won't occur.
pjm
Roar Rookie
Why does serious bother mean stopping the game if it's no where near the player?
pjm
Roar Rookie
Was the seriousness of his injury conveyed to the officials?
Digby
Roar Guru
Thanks Allanthus.
Digby
Roar Guru
Cheers Rob.
Digby
Roar Guru
Thanks Mikey
Digby
Roar Guru
Thanks Birdy, a good point. I would suggest that the fact the play continued and was close to Procter that maybe they were waiting to get on. Once they realised the extent, you can see a trainer running through the players as the Hurricanes swept past after turning the ball over. It was too long.
Digby
Roar Guru
Understodd Peter and fair enough however I do not believe that. Perhaps I am wrong however I have seen and played enough to know when a player is in serious bother or not.
Birdy
Guest
Watching it, Diggercane, I was less concerned that they played on, and more concerned by how long it took the medical staff to get to him. I'm assuming it happened the opposite side of the pitch to where they were, but it seemed a long time to me from recognising on the TV that he was in a bad way, to medical staff treating him.