System at fault for SBW oversight

An inquiry has found that no one was at fault for the failure to remove All Blacks midfielder Sonny Bill Williams from last weekend’s test against the Wallabies in Sydney.

Instead of apportioning blame, at least publicly, for what it has considered to be a system failure, Sanzaar will instead use the incident as an educational tool so players, match officials and doctors hopefully get it right next time. The governing body should be applauded for launching the inquiry at least. It showed that they take head injuries seriously, as do the coaches, doctors and match officials.

While many head injuries can occur in collisions that seem relatively benign, and with no obvious symptoms, Williams’ was fairly obvious. The All Blacks No 12 made a tackle, got up as play moved on and the Australians maintained their attack, and then almost slumped to the ground, before staggering back to the defensive line.

There was clearly something wrong and it beggars belief no one saw it, in particular the match-day doctor who should be looking for just that sort of incident.

In the final minutes of the match, prop Wyatt Crockett made a tackle, got to his feet, lost his balance, and then fell. He was withdrawn straight away without a head injury assessment, as is the protocol. Crockett will not play against the Wallabies in Dunedin on Saturday, while Williams, who has been monitored during the week, will start at second five-eighths.

Sanzaar chief executive Andy Marinos said: “NZ Rugby has been proactive in its management of Sonny Bill Williams and we have full confidence in its processes to manage his return to play — as NZ Rugby has illustrated with other players such as Dane Coles and Ben Smith.”

Player welfare is clearly a priority for the game’s governing body, which makes the investigation into the Williams incident a no-brainer, for want of a better term.

But World Rugby hasn’t been as forthcoming or apparently as interested in investigating the final moments of the third Lions test at Eden Park last month, when referee Romain Poite reversed his penalty decision against the visitors on the advice of assistant Jerome Garces.

The All Blacks and majority of the crowd celebrated Poite’s decision to penalise hooker Ken Owens for handling the ball in an offside position in front of the posts, then watched in disbelief as Poite changed his mind and awarded a scrum instead.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has kept his counsel on the controversy but yesterday gave an insight into his frustration when asked whether he had heard from referees’ boss Alain Rolland. “No,” Hansen replied. “Does that surprise you?” “Yeah,” Hansen said. “Disappointing? Yeah.”