Kirwan: Leave concussion rulings to doctors

Blues coach Sir John Kirwan.(Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Blues coach John Kirwan says he would prefer to leave decisions on concussions to doctors.

The concussion issue is a hot topic following several high-profile incidents this season, including a recent one when Highlanders prop Josh Hohneck was knocked out, but passed a concussion test and played on against the Crusaders.

It has led to some commentators noting that coaches should take more of a responsibility given they have more access to game footage than anyone else, but Kirwan said doctors were still the best placed to make the decision on whether to withdraw a player or not.

"There are screens everywhere so our doctor sees that stuff and our doctor has responsibility for everything," he said. "If we notice something afterwards and he [player] has passed his [concussion] test then we need to say we think he's off his game by five per cent and we need to re-assess it. I think the grey area is when they pass their test and they go back on... I think if someone is knocked out and we can all see it, that's the test, I believe."

Blues captain Jerome Kaino is another high-profile case when he was clearly dazed in the match against the Lions but passed a test and played on after doctor Stephen Kara was unsighted and didn't the loose forward stagger. Kara later told the Herald if he had seen Kaino's reaction he would have taken him off straight away.

However, Kirwan was clear in his message today after his team trained to take on the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday.

"It's a doctor issue and we need consistency around a whole lot of things with Sanzar at the moment. We need to get some consistency on the ruling on concussion."

New Zealand Rugby is undertaking a trial in Saturday's match between the Hurricanes and Waratahs in Wellington whereby the match doctor will be given a television in order to check for signs of concussion injuries after collisions.

For the Blues, Luke Braid is another concussion casualty after he was knocked out in the 16-14 victory against the Brumbies at Eden Park. Braid, who was also knocked out in the match against the Hurricanes in Palmerston North, will miss two weeks at least.

Blues team to play the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday, kick-off 7.35pm is: Charles Piutau, Frank Halai, Pita Ahki, George Moala/Francis Saili, Melani Nanai/Tevita Li, Dan Bowden, Jamison Gibson-Park, Jerome Kaino (c), Brendon O'Connor, Akira Ioane, Patrick Tuipulotu, Josh Bekhuis, Angus Ta'avao, James Parsons, Ofa Tu'ungafasi. Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Tny Woodcock/Sam Prattley, Charlie Faumuina, Hayden Triggs, Blake Gibson, Jimmy Cowan, Ihaia West, Francis Saili/Hamish Northcott.

Highlanders: Ben Smith, Waisake Naholo, Malakai Fekitoa, Jason Emery, Patrick Osborne, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Nasi Manu (c), James Lentjes, Elliot Dixon, Joe Wheeler, Mark Reddish, Josh Hohneck, Liam Coltman, Kane Hames. Reserves: Ash Dixon, Brendon Edmonds, Pingi Tala'apitaga, Tom Franklin, Dan Pryor, Fumiaki Tanaka, Marty Banks, Richard Buckman.