NEW ZEALAND Rugby have admitted that Ireland prop Jeremy Loughman should not have been allowed to return to the pitch during the game against the Maori All Blacks on Wednesday.
Munster's Loughman suffered a heavy collision in the early minutes of the game and looked dazed and confused as a result.
The front row forward was then taken off for a suspected head injury He was considered fit enough to come back on after an assessment by a local doctor.
He lasted until the 40th minute, where he was taken off for Cian Healy.
The incident to bring the 26-year-old back on was slammed by fans, pundits, and even a lobby group called Progressive Rugby, which described the incident as 'shameful'.
Breaking: NZ Rugby have released a statement stating Jeremy Loughman should not have been allowed back onto the pitch against the Maori.
"Gap in communications, which meant critical video evidence was not fully accounted for… by the independent match day medical team." pic.twitter.com/RZbzqykBPd— Cian Tracey (@CianTracey1) July 1, 2022
Now after a review of the events by NZR and Karen Rasmussen, a medical manager, they have admitted that Loughman should not have been allowed to come back onto the pitch, and that a 'gap in communications meant that critical video evidence was not fully accounted for during the incident'.
'As a result of this review NZR believes Ireland prop Jeremy Loughman should not have been allowed back on to the field during the first half', Rasmussen said in a statement.
“While NZR stands by the HIA processes in place and is satisfied that player welfare is the number one priority for medical staff at the match, we have identified a gap in communications, which meant critical video evidence was not fully accounted for as part of the Head Injury Assessment (HIA) process undertaken by the independent match day medical team.
“We will be reinforcing the full HIA process and protocols for the remainder of the Steinlager Series to ensure video evidence is communicated more accurately between independent match day medical staff to enable them to make the right call with regards to player safety.”
"We will be reinforcing the full HIA process and protocols for the remainder of the series to ensure video evidence is communicated more accurately between independent match day medical staff to enable them to make the right call with regards to player safety."
Progressive Rugby, who are non-profit rugby union lobby group demanding better protection for players acknowledged the speed at which New Zealand rugby dealt with the issue
"While the incident remains far from acceptable, you have to admire New Zealand Rugby (NZR) for the speed in which they have reviewed the handling of Irish prop James Loughman."
