League: Adam Blair passes initial concussion tests, available for second test

Kiwis co-captain Adam Blair. Photo / Getty Images

Kiwis co-captain Adam Blair has passed his preliminary concussion tests, and at this stage will be available for selection for the second test against England on Sunday morning.

The veteran prop suffered a knock to the head late in the 26-12 first test loss to England in Hull, compounding what had been a forgettable night for the Kiwis.

But Blair has come through his initial tests, which look at response time and memory and are set against a baseline supplied by his NRL club.

He will be closely monitored across the week but looks likely to take his place in the 17 for the game at the Olympic Stadium.

It's good news for the Broncos prop, who also suffered no ill effects from the calf injury he took into the Hull test; his swift recovery surprised the Kiwis medical staff, who initially thought it could be a three to four week injury.

It's also a boost for the team; already down on experience, and with their confidence damaged by the manner of the first test defeat, they couldn't afford to lose any senior players.

Especially with the form that Blair is in, coming off a season for the Broncos that has seen him invoke memories of his days at the Melbourne Storm.

It's been a timely turn around for Blair, who almost disappeared off the radar for a few years at the Tigers.

He was still in the headlines, but for all the wrong reasons, labelled as the big money buy that didn't perform.

So what changed this year?

"I started enjoying football again," said Blair.

"I never changed anything from what I did at the Tigers but the enjoyment side of things has changed. And that's why you play the game...even as a kid..and that should never change."

Blair also says that "massive belief" in him from Wayne Bennett has helped his cause; "you felt good, felt like you could do anything."

And he did. After a slow start to the season, Blair become one of the most valuable members of the Broncos squad. He peaked in the finals series, with some terrific defensive efforts which would see him make up to three consecutive tackles in a set, as well as his trademark offloads.

His season of redemption was capped off by a return to the Kiwis - he missed the cut for this year's Anzac test - and the captaincy post. Blair is the longest serving member of the current team, making his debut back in 2006 under Brian McClennan.

He always thrived in the Kiwis but noted a particular change in the week of the 2014 Anzac test.

"I think it was one of the turning points of New Zealand league," said Blair.

"It was my first time back for a while and even I felt different coming into camp for some reason. From that week everything has grown..it's the cornerstone to where we are now."

Blair appreciates his international days are numbered, with the young crop of players coming through and his advancing age.

It makes him more determined to turn things around on Saturday (Sunday NZT), and send the series to a decider next week in Wigan.

"A few of us in this squad might be counting down the days or the years," said Blair.

"You know you can't go on forever and want to appreciate every moment. Now we have to get things done. England always rise to the occasion against us - especially over here - and we have to match them."

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