All Blacks admit to worries over Crotty

The All Blacks admit they’re ‘‘concerned’’ about their head knock-prone second fiveeighths Ryan Crotty, deeply aware of the fine line the modern player walks when it comes to concussion.

In Saturday night’s 38-13 victory over the Wallabies at ANZ Stadium, Crotty suffered his sixth head knock in the last 20 months when he copped ‘‘friendly fire’’ from Jack Goodhue that coach Steve Hansen confirmed ‘‘knocked him out’’.

That’s Crotty, the team’s linchpin midfielder, gone for an undisclosed period, with Hansen confirming yesterday neither he nor wing Rieko Ioane would be considered for Bledisloe II at Eden Park on Saturday night.

The 29-year-old, 38-test midfielder also suffered some damage to his teeth, sporting a shiny mouthguard when the team decamped for Auckland.

Hansen confirmed a midfield replacement would probably be called in, with Hurricanes and Auckland utility Vince Aso their first port of call.

‘‘It concerns us, definitely,’’ said Hansen of Crotty’s ongoing issues. ‘‘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 last night. It was freaky – friendly fire from Jack straight in the face. It would have knocked most of us out.’’

Experienced All Blacks forward Sam Cane sounded a more cautionary note around Crotty, admitting he frets every time a team-mate cops such a blow.

‘‘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,’’ Cane said yesterday.

‘‘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.’’

Cane said in scenarios such as Crotty’s it was often best to give the player some space.

‘‘The worst thing people can do is say ‘how’s your head?’ Certainly, you let them know you care and support but it’s a lonely process in a funny way.’’