Super Rugby tweaks its mouthguard process
Players will not be automatically removed from the field in Super Rugby this weekend, even if their smart mouthguards trigger an alert to pitchside doctors.
Controversy surrounded the introduction of the mouthguards last week, especially in the Chiefs-Crusaders game when Chiefs midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown and Crusaders lock Quinten Strange were forced to leave the field for an HIA (which they both passed).
As a result, Super Rugby Pacific advised of temporary changes to the process yesterday, blaming “technical issues” during last weekend’s opening round of matches.
“Players will continue to wear the iMGs this weekend but will not be required to immediately leave the field for an HIA when their mouthguard triggers an alert to pitch-side doctors,” it said in a release just hours before the start of Super Round in Melbourne last night.
“Instead, players will be checked by an on-field doctor after a trigger alert has been received.
“If the doctor has any concerns the player will then leave the field for an HIA. If the player passes an on-field check, they will still be subject to a full HIA, either at halftime or fulltime.
“World Rugby will run further trials in round three of Super Rugby Pacific to test improvements to the data-transfer process, with a view to reinstating iMG alert protocols once these issues are fully resolved.’’
There had been criticism before the season began that the introduction of the technology had been too hasty, with some players also reporting that mouthguards felt uncomfortable to wear. Those fears have been borne out, even though there is general support for the introduction of measure to improve player welfare.
Super Rugby Pacific said the mouthguards would still have a big role to play for the rest of the season. “Player safety remains the top priority,’’ its statement said.