Questions are already being asked of so-called “smart” mouthguards after two players left the field believing they didn’t need to undergo an HIA.
Anton Lienert-Brown was left visibly bemused when he was sent from the field with a little over five minutes to go with one point separating the Chiefs and Crusaders in Hamilton.
Earlier in the match, Quinn Strange was sent from the field and left equally confused by the call.
“Oh boy, there’s going to be some talk about these HIAs. This is another that’s resulting from these mouth guards,” said Sky Sport commentator Tony Johnson on Stan Sport’s coverage.
“You see the mouth guard, smart mouth guards, I’m not quite sure how smart at the moment.
Jeff Wilson added, “With Xavier Roe having to return to the field, Anton Leinert-Brown has to go quickly to have his HIA.”
Johnson said the timing of the HIA was particularly egregious with the match delicately poised.
“This is huge because it leaves them without such an important member of their back line,” he said.
“Quinn Strange went off in the first half. He didn’t seem to know what was going on. Anton Leinert-Brown is going, ‘You’re kidding?'”
Wilson said thresholds have been an issue with the mouthguards but noted that players are required to leave once a point has been read.
“It’s certainly not perfect practice, they’ve admitted they’ve got some learning to do,” said Wilson.
“But it’s in the safety (interests) of the players. At the moment, it’s certainly having a critical effect on the Chiefs.”
In the end, Leinert-Brown’s exit didn’t change the result. The Chiefs won a penalty moments later and with it extended their lead to win 34-30.