Crotty concussion a concern for All Blacks
INJURY UPDATE: There is growing concern in New Zealand over yet another concussion suffered by star midfielder Ryan Crotty.
The All Blacks will be without Crotty for the second Test of the Bledisloe Cup in Auckland this week, after the centre suffered a concussion at the weekend.
Crotty was knocked out after making accidental contact with debutant teammate Jack Goodhue as the All Blacks defeated the Wallabies 38-13 in Sydney.
The 29-year-old, who had made 38 appearances for his country, has now sustained six concussions in the last 20 months.
“It concerns us, definitely,” All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said.
“He’s already seen a specialist and they’ve given him the all-clear.
“From our understanding as long as you fully recover and don’t go back when you’re not fully recovered, then you’re OK.
“He was just unlucky. It was freaky – friendly fire from Jack straight in the face. It would have knocked most of us out.”
Teammate Sam Cane added: “It’s not nice to see. It’s just a tough injury. Everything else has a time-frame but there’s just so much unknown with head knocks and it seems like you can be only one away, if it’s the wrong one, from it being then end of it.
“I’ve seen that with a few mates. It certainly helps you appreciate every week and every game you have and realising how fickle it can be.”
By Iain Strachan, RugbyPass
