Cardiff: Rugby’s concussion protocols are back under the microscope after Wallabies halfback Nic White was told he cannot take part in Australia’s final match of their spring tour in Wales just hours after declaring he was not knocked out against Ireland.
A remarkable Wallabies injury toll has only got worse in the aftermath of a 13-10 defeat to Ireland, with White sidelined due to a suspected concussion that was only picked up after the match.
The Wallabies will be now without White (concussion), Dave Porecki (concussion), Taniela Tupou (knee), Hunter Paisami (knee), Rob Valetini (ankle) and Andrew Kellaway (toe) for the team’s final match of the tour against Wales on Saturday in Cardiff.
All six will return to Australia over the coming days, depending on flight availabilities.
Some will receive scans in Europe, while others will wait until they get home.
Tupou left Ireland on Sunday and although not confirmed, the Wallabies believe the tight-head prop has ruptured his Achilles.
If so, Tupou’s availability for next year’s World Cup would be slim, which is a huge blow for the Wallabies.
Australia also lose first-choice five-eighth Bernard Foley and second-rower Will Skelton this week. Both will return to their respective Japanese and French clubs because the match falls outside the international window.
White, who started against Ireland, left the field in the 48th minute for a head injury assessment (HIA) but returned six minutes later to finish the match.
But the decision to let White back on the field – a decision made by an independent match-day doctor, not the Wallabies – was slammed by commentators and a concussion lobbying group.
White stayed down after tackling former Brumbies teammate Mack Hansen while trying to stop a five-pointer.
According to the Wallabies, Australia’s team doctor and the independent match day doctor then went to view vision on the sideline of the tackle.
It was during this period when White was involved in a further incident, which occurred when he took the ball into contact with Ireland’s Josh van der Flier.
Both doctors, however, didn’t see this because they were busy analysing the first incident.
White was taken from the field to complete a HIA – under a ‘criteria two’ assessment – on the added advice of referee Ben O’Keeffe, who could be heard saying he thought the Australian halfback had stumbled.
After his HIA, White was given the green light to return.
Nic White with Wallabies physio Keiran Cleary during Australia’s Test against Ireland.Credit:Stan Sport
But on further inspection, the match day doctor has now elevated the HIA to a ‘criteria one’ assessment, based on “balance disturbance and ataxia”. This means White cannot feature against Wales.
The Wallabies say White has not suffered any further concussions symptoms, which is corroborated by his comments immediately after the match to reporters in Dublin.
“I passed my HIA, I went back on. I remember everything, clear as day,” White said. “I feel fine. I feel good.
“How often do I run out of the corner out of a lineout and get bashed by three blokes? I was just a little ginger, I’m fine mate.”
When broadcasters played footage of the second incident, where White carries into contact, debate raged whether he should have stayed on the park.
“For me, that’s pretty uncomfortable viewing,” said former Ireland international Rob Kearney. “There’s so much talk about concussion in our game. We’re watching documentaries, we’re hearing of legal court cases. I’ve had a few concussions in my career and sometimes wonder am I going to be OK in five or 10 years’ time.
“I look at an image like that and it’s tough to watch. We’ve had a little bit of disagreement in the studio when it happened, but for me there’s no way he should be returning to the field of play.”
Former Leinster and Ulster coach Matt Williams, who is Australian, said he “totally disagreed”.
“We’re not doctors,” he said. “There could be 101 reasons why he stumbles. It’s not our place to judge because it’s a medical decision. I was surprised he came back on. It’s not the Australian doctor. It’s an independent doctor.”
Progressive Rugby, a non-profit rugby union lobby group demanding better protection for players, said White should never have gone back onto the Aviva Stadium.
“This is unacceptable and further deepens our concern about the HIA protocol and whether it is fit for the purpose of properly protecting players,” the statement read.
The Wallabies will travel to Cardiff on Monday ahead of a must-win match against a Wales side who suffered a shock one-point loss to Georgia at the weekend.
Australia are aiming to avoid a 10th loss in 2022. No Wallabies side has ever registered so many defeats in a calendar year.
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