Wednesday 24 February 2016 14:22, UK
Lots of things happened during the 240 minutes of World Club Series action last weekend and there has been lots said and written about it.
I'm going to take a week to reflect on the rugby before I comment but one thing stood out to me. It wasn't a pass, tackle, kick, offload or try.
No, it was the medical care given to a player during a match. Concussion in sport is a hot topic at present. The American actor Will Smith stars in a Hollywood movie about it and all major team sports are trying their best to bring themselves up to speed with the latest findings.
Players, coaches, officials, administrators, fans and commentators need to be aware of the latest guidelines regarding head injuries, and the way that these are dealt with.
The head coach and the CEO also have a responsibility for the health and wellbeing of their players during a match. The coach doesn't want an unsteady or disorientated player in his defensive line, nor does the CEO wish to appear in a medical negligence hearing.
We now know more than we did 20 years ago and it's important that we all act on this knowledge.
Early in the game at Langtree Park last Friday Jayden Nikorima received a bang to the head which left him lying on the ground.
The chief medical officer for England Rugby League, Dr Chris Brookes, was assisting the Roosters throughout the game and was swiftly on the scene.
He then followed the protocols sent out by the RFL to all clubs and their medical staff to improve the care for players, while also allowing those who are fit and able to carry on playing.
Dr Brookes sent me this to explain what happens: "Concussion is a difficult and challenging diagnosis to make.
"The injury itself is a disturbance in brain function following a blow to the head and may reveal itself via a variety of symptoms and signs. Examples of these are headache, unsteadiness, confusion or even change in the player's personality.
"It is therefore especially important that any player suspected of suffering from concussion is removed from the field for a comprehensive clinical assessment.
"When a player is removed from the field for a concussion assessment, the laws of the game allow for a 'free' interchange to occur. This is time limited to not less than 15 minutes to allow the assessment, at the end of which the player is either deemed fit to return or needs to be permanently replaced.
"The assessment always occurs in the privacy of the dressing room and the first five minutes are utilised in allowing the player to settle from the intensity of the game and prepare for the formal concussion assessment.
"This consists of a standard format, with a series of questions to assess the player's recollection of the game and then a conversation around the circumstances of what happened to precipitate the injury.
"This is the followed by evaluation of symptoms (headache, nausea, balance problems) and a series of memory tests specifically focusing on memory and concentration.
"This comprehensive raft of clinical tools provides the doctor with the necessary suite of information upon which he/she can then make their final judgement regarding return to play or withdraw the player from further participation.
"Even if they return to the field, they are continually observed for any signs suggestive of concussion (eg poor balance) with re-evaluation at half-time or full-time as appropriate.
"Our knowledge of concussion is continually evolving and I am proud that rugby league is regarded as being at the vanguard of protecting our players from unnecessary unpleasant and probably harmful complications of head impacts."
The RFL has a very good head injury management policy and all of the medical staff have been invited to attend sessions provided by experts in this area. They've received the latest protocols and been reminded of their duty of care.
Unfortunately for St Helens supporters, Nikorima was passed fit to return and went on to have an outstanding game for the Roosters.
However, there is one suggestion that I'd like to put to the Super League clubs and Dr Brookes.
Most of their coaches have a monitor which allows them to watch the action. Some of them have this on a five-second delay so that they can quickly review a missed tackle, try, etc.
It would seem obvious to me that they get their video analyst to provide the medical staff with a monitor and feed of the game so that they can quickly review all of the injuries, especially the ones to the head.
I know that the score is important, but not as important as a player's health.
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