NRL: Warriors show concern over concussion legislation

Ryan Hoffman of the Warriors is tackled by Beau Scott of the Knights during the round one NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and the New Zealand Warriors. Photo / Getty Images.

Warriors Managing Director Jim Doyle says the NRL needs to tread carefully when weighing up new concussion legislation.

Amid growing concerns that players are returning to the field when they shouldn't, the NRL are looking at introducing independent doctors to oversee the diagnosis and treatment of players suspected of suffering concussion.

But Doyle believes faith should be shown in the club doctors to make the correct decisions around player welfare and fears their individual reputations could be at risk if an independent third party is introduced.

"Actually it's not something the NRL can take lightly because if they put an independent doctor in for every single game then in some aspects are they questioning the integrity of professional doctors?," Doyle said.

"At the end of the day each club needs to make sure that they have a doctor who knows that his own individual reputation is on the line, so that's something the NRL are working through and they'll make that decision.

"From our point of view, and our doctor, we are very, very clear that if we've got a player that we don't think is able to go back on to the field he won't go back on to the field."

The NRL are investigating three separate incidents from Sunday's 29-16 win over Parramatta with three Eels players, Nathan Peats, Isaac De Gois, and Will Hopoate all returning to the field after completing concussion tests.

The Peats incident is believed to be of most concern to the game's controlling body, while Manly have also come under fire for delaying the removal from play of dazed centre Brayden Wiliame during last Friday night's match against Canterbury.

These incidents follow controversy stemming from Rabbitohs halfback Adam Reynolds being allowed back on to the park after suffering a head knock in their round two match against the Bulldogs.

Doyle would not comment when asked if he believed some clubs exerted more pressure on their medical staff to pass concussed players as fit. He reiterated the point that Warriors team doctor Doc Mayhew is the one and only decision maker when it comes to assessing players' health and condition.

"I just know from our club we are very, very clear that we would put no pressure on our doctor at all," Doyle said.

"He'd be the person that will make the decision and if a player isn't capable of coming back on he won't come back on."

Doyle spoke at the club's launch of Te Maumaharatanga (The Memorial) Anzac commemorative jersey to be worn for their Anzac Day match against the Gold Coast Titans at Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday, April 25.

The jersey was designed to recognise New Zealand's servicemen and women, fans, club and ANZAC heritage.

It also commemorates the contribution that Canterbury of New Zealand made to support the ANZACs as knitwear provider to the armed forces in both World Wars.

"The careful symbolism, the respect and care that has gone into designing the jersey for our club is humbling," Doyle said.

"It's the first time the Warriors have ever played an ANZAC Day match in New Zealand and I know our players are feeling incredibly honoured and extremely proud about taking the field at Mt Smart in 'Te Maumaharatanga' on what will be such a special day."

A donation from the sale of each jersey in both New Zealand and Australia will be going to the Fields of Remembrance Trust ($5 for a children's jersey, $10 for adults), as a mark of respect for past and current serving armed forces personnel.