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Johnny Sexton to miss second Test against the All Blacks
By Ian Cameron
Veteran Ireland flyhalf Johnny Sexton will now miss the second Test against the All Blacks as per new World Rugby protocols introduced this month.
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Andy Farrell’s men faded fast in the first half after a promising start and found themselves 28-5 behind at the break and having lost captain Sexton to a head knock.
The Irish contributed to their own downfall as a poor pass from Garry Ringrose allowed the rapid Sevu Reece to zoom clear from inside his own 22 and dive over.
Influential fly-half Sexton then departed to be replaced by Joey Carbery having slipped into Sam Cane in the build-up.
Sexton will now miss the second Test as World Rugby require a minimum stand down period of 12 days after failing a HIA.
Changes implemented globally from 1 July mean any player eligible to return to play on the 7th day after injury would only do so with the approval of an independent concussion consultant. This means Sexton will miss the second Test at the Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin next weekend.
Players, including those with a history of concussion or who are removed from a match with obvious concussion symptoms, will sit out from play for a minimum of 12 days, likely missing their next competitive match according to the new Graduated Return to Play (GRTP) protocols.
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Protocols that define a player with a history of concussion include a concussion diagnosis in the previous three months, three concussions diagnosed in the previous 12 months, a player who has been diagnosed with five concussions in their career, and a player who has taken longer than 21 days to recover from a previous concussion.
Sexton falls into this category.
“World Rugby’s chief medical officer Eanna Falvey added: “It is going to be a new mindset for coaches and players.
“Our approach means it is now overwhelmingly likely a player diagnosed with a concussion won’t play in their team’s next match.”
additional reporting PA
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