sport news World Rugby's HIA protocols are 'failing', say player welfare group as Johnny ... trends now
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Rugby's head injury assessment (HIA) protocols have been slammed once again after Johnny Sexton was selected for Ireland's second Test with New Zealand.
Ireland captain Sexton, 36, was forced off in the first of his team's three matches with the All Blacks at Eden Park last weekend after failing a HIA following a collision with Sam Cane.
An initial HIA identifies suspected concussion, but Sexton has been deemed fit to play this weekend after passing two more stringent tests in the days that followed.
Ireland captain Johnny Sexton has been cleared to play against New Zealand on Saturday despite being forced off in the first Test on July 2 due to a suspected concussion
The 36-year-old fly-half was forced off after failing a HIA following a collision with Sam Cane
Sexton was left stricken on the floor and holding his head after the incident at Eden Park
In doing so, he was diagnosed as not suffering with concussion.
Progressive Rugby, a lobby group promoting player welfare and awareness of concussion in sport, believe Sexton should have been treated with caution.
That is particularly the case given his record of past head knocks.
'Elite players who fail an in-game HIA1 have, by definition, displayed cognitive dysfunction requiring their removal,' said a
