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.”
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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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