DUBLIN – Nic White has strenuously denied he was concussed in the loss to Ireland, saying he was a “little ginger” though “very confident” he was fit and healthy to return to the Aviva Stadium.
White undertook a Head Injury Assessment in the second half after two incidents in quick succession led to concern the experienced halfback had suffered a concussion during the Wallabies’ 13-10 defeat at Aviva Stadium.
The 32-year-old appeared to knock his head and suffer some whiplash after a tackle on Mack Hansen forced the Canberra-born Irish winger to put a toe on the touch line early in the second half.
Moments later, White took a hard carry back into the teeth of the defence and was crunched by three Irish defenders where it appeared he clipped his head.
Shortly after White was met by a Wallabies medical officer, where footage showed the halfback stumble slightly as he crouched down.
White was taken from the field but returned after passing his HIA. His return left many questioning whether White should have been allowed back onto the field.
Former Scotland, Leinster and Waratahs coach Matt Williams said the medical experts needed to be trusted but Irish great Rob Kearney said White should have been taken off.
Progressive Rugby, who are a non-profit rugby union lobby group and have Steve Thompson and Carl Hayman as members, slammed the decision saying White looked “clearly unsteady and dazed”.
They added: “This is unacceptable and further deepens our concern about the HIA protocol and whether it is fit for the purpose of properly protecting players.”
Nic White of Australia tussles with Andrew Porter of Ireland during the Bank of Ireland Nations Series match between Ireland and Australia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. (Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
White, however, said he was not concussed. “I was pulled off by the physio to do a HIA, I felt fine,” he told reporters.
“I passed my HIA, I went back on. I remember everything, clear as day, I feel fine. I feel good. I passed my HIA and I was good to go.”
Told that social media had hit out at the decision to allow him to return, White reiterated he was fine.
“Very confident, I did the HIA and I passed it,” he said.
“Like, I’m 78kg – running up against these blokes, mate I feel fine now. You guys can attest to that. The process, I did the HIA and passed it. I’m good.
“How often do I run out of the corner out of a lineout and get bashed by three blokes. I was just a little ginger, I’m fine mate.”
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