Bledisloe Cup: Concussion concerns rise again as Sonny Bill Williams wasn’t checked after head knock

SANZAAR are investigating how All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams suffered an apparent head knock and stayed on the field without being checked for concussion.

WORLD Rugby has joined SANZAAR in ​reviewing why Sonny Bill Williams wasn’t checked for concussion despite clear signs he’d suffered a head knock early in the opening Bledisloe Cup clash.

Footage shows Williams suffering the effects of an apparent blow ​to the head ​in the second minute after trying to bring down Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper and colliding with All Blacks teammate Joe Moody.

Williams looked very unsteady on his feet when he got up and slowly made his way back to the defensive line.

Lack of balance is an indicator to medical staff of potential concussion but SBW was not sent for a HIA.

A SANZAAR spokesman confirmed they were looking into the matter.

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All Blacks Sonny Bill Williams makes a break during the Bledisloe Cup match. Picture: Brett Costello

It is understood World Rugby is also aware of the incident and requesting an explanation why Williams wasn’t checked.

The authorities will discuss Williams’ case with the match-day doctor who is co-appointed by the hosts and SANZAAR.

Questions will no doubt also be asked of the New Zealand medical staff, who also have the capacity to take a player for a HIA.

Most disturbingly, ​however, is Williams appeared to take another head knock in the second half when trying to tackle Hooper again.

He stayed down on the ground before again walking slowly back to the New Zealand side of the field.

​Medical experts say dangers of concussion are significantly increased when an already injured brain takes a second knock, hence the extreme caution now used around footballers and cricketers who suffer head knocks.

George Smith’s concussin back in 2013 led to change for the better. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

It’s for this very reason doctors will rule a player out of the game given even the slightest indication a player may have suffered concussion.

​The sight of George Smith wobbling at the same stadium in 2013 against the British & Irish Lions — but being allowed to play on — was the catalyst for a major crackdown on removing concussed players from the field by World Rugby.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen claimed no one had noticed Williams suffer the effects of a head knock.

“I think everyone missed it to be fair, otherwise the HIA doc would have taken him off,” Hansen said. “Our doc certainly would have taken him off.”

Like most rugby nations, New Zealand have taken great caution around concussion and sat out star players like Dane Coles and Ben Smith for extended periods of time.

Williams remains a chance to play in the second Test, however. He trained lightly on Tuesday in Dunedin.

“Sonny took a knock in the weekend but he was symptom-free,” All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster said.

“The doc has done what he always does when there is a suspicion of something. He was held back a little bit today so we could make sure he was absolutely clear but the signs are really positive.”