The New South Wales Rugby League has been issued a formal warning by the NRL after an investigation into an head injury assessment (HIA) on Boyd Cordner found the Blues captain should not have cleared concussion protocols.
Key points:
- The NRL said Cordner should not have been allowed to return to the field following his HIA in State of Origin I
- Cordner ruled himself out of the final two State of Origin matches
- He had previously suffered a series of concussions during the NRL season
The NRL released a statement this afternoon saying Cordner should not have been allowed to return to the field in last week’s State of Origin I in Adelaide after sustaining a head knock.
The league determined that since Cordner showed signs of motor incoordination, it was classified as a “category one injury” and he should have been immediately ruled out, regardless of the outcome of the HIA.
“In our view Boyd should not have been allowed to return to the field,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said in the statement.
“Our Chief Medical Officer spoke directly with both NSW and Queensland medical staff prior to Wednesday night’s game [in Sydney] and reminded them of our high expectations in this area.”
Queensland five-eighth Cameron Munster left the field early in the first half of Wednesday night’s State of Origin II for an HIA and was ruled out of the remainder of the match.
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Some uncomfortable questions about the handling of concussion in the football codes linger after Boyd Cordner was allowed to return to the field in State of Origin I
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The NRL began an investigation last week to determine how Cordner was cleared of concussion by the Blues medical staff after a seemingly innocuous blow in the first half of the match.
The dazed 28-year-old was taken from the field for an HIA but it was declared he had passed protocols and he subsequently returned to the field and finished the match.
It was Cordner’s fourth concussion scare in recent months and last Friday he ruled himself out of the final two State of Origin matches.
“As hard as it was, it is the right call based on the fact that I have had a few knocks this year,” Cordner said in a statement.
“I feel really good after Wednesday’s game; I’ve pulled up fine. I have no concerns about the knock in game one. I passed the HIA test and was happy to return to the field.
“The decision is more precautionary than anything. It has been a big year and now I can just rest up and relax with a good break coming up. I will be leaving camp today.”
Cordner suffered his first bout of concussion in the Sydney Roosters’ round eight loss to the Melbourne Storm.
He returned a fortnight later but copped a knock to the head in training.
Cordner sat out for a further five weeks, consulting a specialist about headaches, before returning in round 16.
He suffered yet another knock against Newcastle in round 18.
AAP/ABC
