All adult rugby games in the 14 largest provincial unions, including the Baywide premier competition, will be showing a blue card for concussion this season, in a move by New Zealand Rugby (NZR) to further enhance player welfare.
The Blue Card Concussion initiative means referees can issue a blue card to a player suspected of receiving an on-field concussion during a game.
After receiving a blue card, the player must leave the field of play and can't return until they have completed a series of mandatory steps, including a three-week stand down from training and playing.
NZR's head of community rugby Brent Anderson said player welfare was paramount, and the extension of the Blue Card Concussion Initiative sent a clear message about the importance of looking after players.
"The referee has no vested interest in keeping a player with a suspected head knock on the field. Referees will be trained to recognise the signs of suspected concussion.
"Player welfare is everybody's responsibility. While head knocks are relatively rare given the number of matches every weekend, it's important everyone, including supporters, clubs, referees and the medical community, understands how to manage concussion. We need to ensure players don't return to play until they are medically cleared and ready."
The Blue Card Concussion Initiative originated in Northland Rugby in 2014. Anderson said the positive results and feedback from the rugby community in Northland encouraged NZR to extend the initiative throughout the country.
"Implementing the blue card requires a collective effort. Referees need to be trained to better recognise the signs of concussion, coaches and players need to support the mandatory stand-down period, and local medical professionals need to help us record, track and report on the injury or suspected injury.
"We are very pleased at the response from our communities so far, people understand what we're trying to do and why it's important to put our players' health first. Our referees have stepped up, which is a reflection of their commitment too."
Anderson said some provincial unions had implemented the blue card into secondary school competitions.
"This is the first year we have made it compulsory for adult grades and over time we would like to see it become the standard for the community game."
When a player is issued with a blue card by the referee, they must leave the game, and can't return to play in that match. The player must then rest until there are no on-going symptoms; complete the minimum stand down period (21 days for adults, 23 days
for under-19 players); undertake the graduated return to play protocol and obtain medical clearance to return to play.
At professional rugby competitions in New Zealand a doctor is present during matches
to assess head knocks and suspected concussion so the blue card is not require