Rugby’s new law on head injuries

WORLD Rugby has approved an amendment to the law making it mandatory for players who undertake an off-field screening under the head injury assessment (HIA) protocol not to return before 10 minutes have elapsed.

The amendment comes into effect globally from August 26 and applies to all participating elite adult rugby competitions. It amends the previous time stipulation, which included no minimum requirement.

With the latest data indicating that the average time for the screening to be undertaken by a team or independent doctor being a shade over seven minutes, the introduction of a fixed time will further promote a calm, clinical environment for assessment without rush or risk of screening time falling well under the average completion time.

The adjustment will also assist match management.

The three-point-in-time HIA process continues to play a significant role in protecting players and changing culture within the elite game.

Now operational in 22 competitions with strict implementation protocols, the evidence-based process that is underpinned by education, technology and medical management is a driving force behind ever-increasing accuracy of the identification and permanent removal of players with suspected or clear concussion.

Prior to the HIA’s introduction in 2012, 44 percent of players with concussion were being accurately identified and permanently removed inmatch. In 2013-14 across eight elite competitions, 87 percent of players with concussion were accurately identified and permanently removed inmatch

At Rugby World Cup 2015 when video technology was introduced, 95.5 percent of players with concussion were accurately identified and removed in-match. – ANA