World Rugby’s Executive Committee, have amended Law 3, with immediate effect, to make any Head Injury Assessment (HIA) test last 12 minutes. This is a rise from the previous time of ten minutes.

This follows a recommendation of the World Rugby Concussion Working Group along with John Jeffrey, the Chairman of the Rugby Committee, and was approved into law last week.

Why the change?

It’s universally recognised that the HIA process has improved diagnosis of concussion and removal from play. But, the actual tool – both the tests and the reporting/data technology – used on a match day is recognised as being ‘blunt’. World Rugby has over the past few years undertaken research to improve the the off-field screen. The content of the actual test has changed and expanded (see below) which resulted in an increase in time needed to complete the assessment.

During RWC 2019, there were some logistical issues about when the clock started, given, in some stadia, the distance from the sideline of the HIA room. Therefore they amended the process, mid-tournament to start the 10 mins when they entered the relevant room, not when they left the field. This obviously required some extra logistical support which may not be available outside of the Rugby World Cup.

Experience from RWC 2019 and also feedback from Team Doctors of teams in other Tournaments around the world confirmed that the current HIA1 off-field screen requires additional time for completion.

There was a World Rugby HIA Working Group meeting on 14 October 2019 when two options options were discussed

Use of the process used in RWC 2019 – delayed start of time A set time for completion of the HIA 1 off-field screen

After extensive discussion and considering the different environments in which this change will apply it was agreed that a strict 12 minutes should be applied to the off-field screen.

The process applied during RWC 2019 requires additional logistic support and the Group felt a simpler more streamlined approach was required.

Another key issue clarified by the Working Group was the necessity for this to be a strict 12 minutes, that is, a player cannot return to play even if cleared before the 12-minute period has expired.

What is the HIA test?

Ever wondered what the HIA test actually covers? Here’s a great demonstration from the Real Science of Sport podcast team – Dr Ross Tucker and Mike Finch with South Africa Doctor Leigh Gordon. Well worth ten minutes of your time!





New Law 3: Team – Temporary Replacements

3.27 In matches which have been approved in advance by World Rugby for use of the HIA process, a player who requires a HIA:

a. Leaves the field of play; and

b. Is temporarily replaced (even if all the replacements have been

used). The game cannot restart until the player who requires an

HIA has been temporarily replaced. If the player is not available

to return to the field of play after 12 minutes (actual time) of

leaving the playing area, the replacement becomes permanent.

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