SANZAR gets tough on 'head games'
SANZAR will immediately introduce a strengthened concussion test for players in Super Rugby, in line with moves made by the International Rugby Board.
SANZAR, which runs the Super Rugby competition and the Southern Hemisphere Rugby Championship, said player welfare was paramount.
"From the moment the IRB announced the introduction of the Head Injury Assessment we made it a priority to take steps that would lead to the enhanced protocol being introduced to SANZAR competitions as soon as possible," SANZAR chief Greg Peters said.
"Player welfare is a primary concern for our sport and we are therefore supportive of the IRB's introduction of the HIA which will be in effect at Super Rugby from the resumption of the competition this weekend following the June Test window."
Rugby authorities have repeatedly warned about the risk of players taking to the field with concussion in recent years amid fears the sport's often brutal collisions could result in long-term brain injury.
The enhanced Head Injury Assessment follows talks between SANZAR and the medical officers of its three national unions, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, and supersedes the current pitch-side concussion assessment.
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 making a return to play decision.
Medical Officers from the National Unions have communicated with doctors at all Super Rugby franchises to ensure they are familiar with the updated protocol and will work closely with them to ensure a smooth transition.
This is in addition to the IRB's Union education.
Accepted for publication in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the study highlights that prior to the global trial of the Pitch-side Suspected Concussion Assessment (PSCA) tool 56 percent of players assessed and left on the field of play were later determined to have sustained a concussion.
Since the PSCA trial began in 2012 the percentage has reduced to 13 percent with this reduction attributed to the combined strategy of education and implementation of the research-driven assessment.
Despite these positive results the IRB is committed to driving cultural change within the sport and further reducing the percentage.
Data from the trial has also enabled the IRB's independent concussion working group to identify enhancements to the PSCA tool, which is used to assess a player when the diagnosis of a head injury is unclear. If symptoms are evident the message remains recognise and permanently remove the player – the PSCA tool should not be used.
Two components of the PSCA tool have been expanded, with the memory test strengthened and the balance test altered, enhancing the information team and independent doctors have available to them when making a return to play decision.
In order to accommodate the expanded PSCA components and following a successful pilot trial, the IRB Executive Committee has approved an increase in the time permitted to undertake the assessment from five to 10 minutes. The new trial will operate from June 1.
