State of Origin 2020: Why Cameron Munster must sit out decider

Queensland have declared Cameron Munster will play next week in a move which has outraged concussion experts.

Munster’s head then hits the ground hard. Picture: Phil Hillyard

One of Australia’s leading concussion experts has urged the code to stand Queensland No. 6 Cameron Munster down from Origin III, warning: “Seven days isn’t enough time for his brain to recover”.

Only a week after successfully calling for NSW captain Boyd Cordner to be removed from the 2020 State of Origin series, Associate Professor Alan Pearce is now urging the ARLC also take tough action in the Munster case.

The call comes after Maroons coach Wayne Bennett claimed on Thursday, and less than 24 hours after Munster staggered about ANZ Stadium during Origin II, that the five-eighth would “definitely play” in the decider saying “he is good to go”.

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Tyson Frizell collides with Cameron Munster as the Queensland star collects a kick. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Yet despite Bennett’s bullish claim, both the NRL and Maroons officials confirmed the Melbourne premiership winner would first have to pass through a series of ‘Return to Play’ steps before being cleared.

Regardless, Dr Pearce is now urging for NRL Chief Medical Officer Dr Paul Bloomfield to intervene in cases like that of Munster.

A research manager with the Australian Sports Brain Bank, Dr Pearce said there was no way the 26-year-old’s brain could heal within a week of the serious head knock suffered in Wednesday night’s ANZ Stadium clash.

Munster was left visibly troubled after slamming the back of his head into the turf while collecting a Blues bomb in only the 3rd minute of play.

The Maroons star subsequently attempted to find his feet, yet stumbled before concerned teammate Dane Gagai rushed in to help keep him vertical.

He was then attended to by a team trainer, assisted from the field and took no further part in the match, won by the Blues 34-10.

Munster’s head then hits the ground hard. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Yet while Munster was sidelined for the remainder of the game, Bennett said in the post-match press conference that he expected the Storm five-eighth to be fit for Origin III.

While Dr Pearce praised ARLC chairman Peter V’landys for investigating the Cordner issue – which has seen the Roosters backrower subsequently removed from the series – he warned a similar tough stance should now be taken with Munster.

“Cameron Munster should be stood down from the decider,” said the neurophysiologist who, based out of Melbourne, focuses his research on sports-related concussion.

“Based on the scientific evidence we now have, a week isn’t long enough for full brain healing, irrespective of whether symptoms resolve or not.

“Even though Munster might not show or report any signs or symptoms – and the doctor might not necessarily detect anything – the evidence we’re seeing worldwide is that seven days isn’t long enough for the brain to fully recover.”

Yet speaking on Thursday, Bennett said: “Munster will definitely play, he is good to go.

“He has no history of concussions and he actually recovered pretty quickly.

“It’s a huge boost to have Cameron back on deck for Game Three. He is so important to the way we play, so we need him back.”

Dr Pearce added that, regardless of Munster’s concussion history, seven days was not enough time for recovery.

“We have to remember that this is a brain injury,” he stressed. “And we now have emerging research worldwide which shows it takes 28 days to 30 days for a concussion to fully recover.”

While Munster was obviously rocked by Wednesday night’s incident, Queensland doctor Matt Hislop tweeted afterwards that the playmaker had in fact passed a subsequent HIA test.

“Just wanted to correct the report that Munster ‘failed’ his HIA assessment in the medical room,” Hislop wrote.

“He passed (compared to baseline) but that doesn’t matter. He was Cat 1 based on poor balance as demonstrated on the replay, meaning regardless of his HIA he could not return tonight.”

Dr Hislop later added: “Someone asked what happens now? The NRL have clear guidelines on safely returning a concussed player to sport. Thankfully most ‘simple’ concussions resolve completely within 7-10 days (in adults).”

However even that diagnosis seems to confirm Munster’s brain may not be fully healed if he is allowed take the field next Wednesday night.

Responding to Bennett’s comments on Thursday, NRL Physio, aka Brien Seeney, tweeted: “Reminder concussion symptoms can be delayed, intermittent (come & go). Thankfully most players are able to pass through the protocols within a week, but definitive statements somewhat premature at this early stage of recovery.”

Originally published as State of Origin 2020: Why Cameron Munster must sit out decider