Another card is being added to the kit of rugby referees in Hawke's Bay from Saturday as the national game steps up efforts to eliminate long-term damage from head injury.
The new tool is the Blue Card which referees may issue players with significant head-knocks during a game, meaning they cannot return to the game on the day and committing them to stand-downs of at least three weeks unless cleared by a medical practitioner.
Clubs run the risk of the equivalent of a blow to the head with teams likely to be stripped of hard-earned competition points if they allow players back into the game before they are cleared.
To prop-up the system referees have been especially tutored on recognising the signs of concussion, players will be advised to see a doctor within 24 hours, and doctors' fees will be reimbursed either through usual ACC procedures or by the New Zealand Rugby Union.
Like the red and yellow cards, which have been used as disciplinary measures for several years, the Blue Card will be available in all 12 of the Hawke's Bay Rugby Union's opening weekend Premier and Reserve/Division 2 Town and Country club matches.