More concussion worries
Jacobson ruled out after ‘little setback’
Chiefs loose forward Luke Jacobson has suffered another concussion setback and will miss tomorrow night’s Super Rugby Aotearoa clash with the Hurricanes in Hamilton.
Pita Gus Sowakula replaces Jacobson at No 8 for his first start of the season in one of only two changes to the starting side from last Saturday’s latest last-gasp victory, against the Crusaders, with Bryn Gatland’s return at first five-eighth meaning another shift to fullback for Damian McKenzie.
But Jacobson’s absence is a blow for the Chiefs, and the twotest All Black, who was in careerbest form, after four successive, nailbiting wins in their revival under coach Clayton McMillan.
McMillan said it was only a precautionary decision to give the Waikato loose forward the week off because of his history with concussion, which ruled him out of the 2019 World Cup a week before the tournament in Japan. That was his last recorded concussion problem.
‘‘He’s in the gym this morning, [but] given his history of taking a few dings, we want to be extra cautious, but he’s looking fine,’’ McMillan said yesterday.
‘‘He woke up on Sunday and felt a little bit dusty, so straight away, we ruled him out for the week.’’
McMillan said there was no major concern for Jacobson – ‘‘he’s looking as bright as anything’’ – and the 24-year-old was close to being rested after playing
80 minutes in all six of the Chiefs’ matches this year.
‘‘This little setback is timely, I think, because we probably would have considered giving him some time out either this week or next,’’ McMillan said.
Jacobson’s wretched run of injuries stretches back to his debut year with the Chiefs in
2018. A concussion in the final round of the regular season then also kept him out of the Mitre 10 Cup.
In 2019, he suffered further head knocks at Chiefs training and in the warmup to an All Blacks test against the Springboks.
An onset of concussion symptoms then ruled him out of the World Cup and last year he tore a hamstring, twice, then broke a hand.
Jacobson recovered to captain Waikato in last year’s Mitre 10 Cup and has been outstanding for the Chiefs under McMillan, starting every match at No 8, and has rediscovered the form which earned him his first All Blacks call-up in 2019.
In an interview with Stuff last week, Jacobson said he was spending more time off the field trying to prevent further concussion issues. ‘‘They seem to think strengthening up the neck can help build resilience to it, so it’s something I’ve been smashing away at.’’
Unfortunately, concussion concerns have resurfaced for Jacobson for the first time in 19 months.
His absence means the return of Sowakula at No 8 after starring in last year’s winless Aotearoa campaign. McKenzie has returned to fullback after moving to first-five last weekend.
Gatland is back at 10 after started the opening two matches, which the Chiefs lost, as Kaleb Trask misses out and Chase Tiatia drops to the bench.
‘‘We were really stoked with how [McKenzie] played at 10 last week but also equally happy with how Bryn [Gatland] did in the last game [off the bench against the Crusaders],’’ McMillan said.
There could also be a Super Rugby debut off the bench for Canterbury midfielder Rameka Poihipi, with Sean Wainui absent due to illness.
‘‘Given his history of taking a few dings, we want to be extra cautious.’’
Clayton McMillan
Chiefs coach