Concussion protocols back in spotlight after Aviva bruiser

Lost amid the furore over All Black indiscipline and the performances of both referee and TMO at the Aviva Stadium last Saturday was the latest damning evidence that players are all too often their own worst enemies.

With 21 minutes on the clock, CJ Stander was felled by an illegal no-arms tackle from Israel Dagg (which the officials failed to spot). The Ireland flanker stayed on the turf, disorientated, before resuming his feet and showing clear signs of agitation.

Though attended by the team’s medical officer, Stander insisted on re-entering the fray and within eight phases he was barrelling into a ruck on the Kiwis’ try line with ball in hand before finally being removed for a Head Injury Assessment (HIA).