Super Rugby no longer requires players to leave the field to undergo a concussion test in the event of an alert sent by “smart” mouthguard technology, also tested at the Six Nations Tournament, the Super Rugby competition announced on Friday. ‘southern hemisphere.
Players will still be required to wear them this weekend in Super Rugby “but will not be required to immediately leave the field for a head injury assessment when their mouthguard triggers an alert to pitchside doctors,” the player said. Super Rugby, specifying that this was a temporary change.
Instead, players will be checked by a doctor directly on the field and will only leave the field for an actual concussion protocol if there is concern. They will still be subject to a full evaluation at half-time or at the end of the match.
Connected mouthguard technology is to be implemented in all elite international rugby competitions under the auspices of the World Rugby federation, such as the Six Nations Tournament in Europe.
Using sensors, it makes it possible to measure strong “head accelerations”, events experienced by players during violent impacts, in order to inform doctors and target the players to be controlled.
But at the start of the Super Rugby season, several players criticized the system, notably the captain of the reigning champion Crusaders, Scott Barrett, speaking of this new mandatory security initiative as a “step too many” which could influence the The outcome of a match when players are forced to leave the field.
Gregor Townsend, Scotland manager, also expressed his criticism after the first two days of the Six Nations.
Super Rugby has admitted to experiencing “technical issues” in the collection and transfer of mouthguard data.
However, further testing will be carried out on Super Rugby Day 3 “to monitor improvements to the data transfer process, with a view to reinstating alert protocols once these issues are fully resolved”.
In the Crusaders’ defeat to the Waikato Chiefs, three players were visibly disconcerted when they were called off the field. None of them believed they were injured and they returned to the game after undergoing medical examinations.