OPINION: Beauden Barrett's absence from the All Blacks' team sheet because of concussion symptoms is concerning for two reasons.
First and foremost, his health. Barrett's obviously still not feeling well.
It's a real eye-opener when you talk to players like Dane Coles and Charlie Ngatai about how dark their time was dealing with concussion. Headaches and dizziness might be symptoms, but they also lead to confusion and depression. The effects on mental health can't be understated for players dealing with ongoing concussion. Hopefully, Barrett doesn't have to experience the long-term struggles they had.
Secondly, it's concerning how the Head Impact Assessment (HIA) tests don't appear to work across the board.
Almost two weeks ago, Barrett passed his sideline test during the Springboks Test at Newlands. Take that in for a moment - he could have been sent out to play again. It seems ridiculous considering he's still suffering now.
You have to congratulate New Zealand Rugby on being cautious with players who've taken head knocks. Barrett said he was seeing stars in Cape Town, so they kept him off. The All Blacks have the best interest of their players at heart. Thank goodness for that, because the HIA tests don't appear to be doing the job well enough.
How can a person seeing stars pass that test? Surely, a simple question to the player about how they're feeling would be enough to fail someone.
The off-field testing includes checking symptoms, memory and balance, which is compared to the player's "baseline" assessment. Essentially, they test for what's normal before the season, then cross reference during the game-time HIA test.
It's a good start but obviously it's not failsafe. What if your team doesn't take it as seriously as the All Blacks? What permanent damage could be done?
Officials and medics do have the right to immediately and permanently remove a player if it's obvious they're concussed. Maybe that should be a blanket policy. Why not remove everyone even slightly suspected of taking a head knock? We could add another player to the bench to make up for the cautious approach.
I can hear the anti-PC brigade cringing and saying "it's rugby, it's not tiddlywinks". To that I say, let's use that cavalier attitude on your bruised brain and see what you and your loved ones make of it.
I know people won't be happy if a key playmaker is removed from a big game wrongly. After all, for many people sport is about winning and losing. However, considering the long-term effects concussion has had on so many sportsmen, I think it's better that we remove them so they can play another day.
Being a hero one day is great, but what's the point if concussion means you can't remember it when you're older?
Ross Karl is Newshub's rugby reporter.
