South African Rugby has asked World Rugby to investigate three Australian head injuries that forced uncontested scrums in their second Rugby Championship clash last month, according to a SA media report.
South African outlet Rapport says the Wallabies might be forced to show proof of injuries following the SAR request.
The clear inference in the reporting is that the South Africans believe the Wallabies used HIA protocols to depower the Springboks’ formidable bomb squad in the Perth Test, won comfortably by the visitors.
The second half was marked by uncontested scrums after Angus Bell, James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa fell victim to head knocks.
Springboks player Lood de Jager, who missed out through injury, also went close to pointing the finger at Australian foul play during a recent appearance on The Verdict podcast.
“It’s a difficult one with them going off for concussion,” he said.
“There’s a certain protocol that it’s 12 days before you can play again if you go off the field with concussion and maybe that’s why they didn’t do it last week because they wouldn’t have guys available for the next game but now with the week break before the next Test maybe they thought now is the time to do it.
“I don’t know because it’s so difficult to prove that they actually did it but I did just think the timing was ideal if it was the case.”
Bell started the game but was unable to return in the second half due to a reported HIA. Slipper suffered a head knock and was removed from the match too.
Angus Bell of the Wallabies heads to the locker room at the half time break during The Rugby Championship match between Australia Wallabies and South Africa Springboks at Optus Stadium on August 17, 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
With Australia missing both loosehead props, the officials determined that the game would go to uncontested scrums in the second half.
Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt said afterwards: “It’s probably one of the most bizarre games I’ve ever been involved in,” he said. “In over 100 Test matches that I’ve been involved in, I’ve never had a situation like that before.”
Under the game’s laws, teams are penalised for situations where uncontested scrums are required, excpet in the event of HIAs.
Rapport reported that a World Rugby source confirmed to them: “SA Rugby has been asked for a submission and the working group will consider it together with any other submissions.”
The Roarhttps://https://ift.tt/yQo0INv Africa want World Rugby to investigate Wallabies’ HIAs after ‘bizarre’ Perth Test
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