- New mouthguards have sensors to detect concussions
- It was recently released for the first time during the Six Nations.
- Two players were taken off the field in the first round of Super Rugby
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Smart mouthguards designed to reduce concussions came under fire in the first round of Super Rugby Pacific with players complaining they were being removed from the field despite not feeling any symptoms.
To tackle rising concussion rates, World Rugby has teamed up with Prevent Biometrics to create a “smart” mouthguard.
This innovative device has sensors that track impacts to the head, measuring accelerations and decelerations.
In a recent Six Nations tournament match, Scotland’s George Turner made history when he was taken off the field when his smart mouthguard identified a dangerous collision.
This collaboration aims to reduce concussions in sports by using advanced technology for player safety.
The technology was implemented in the first Super Rugby Pacific games with All Blacks star Anton Lienert-Brown conspicuously absent as he was taken off the field at a crucial moment with his Chiefs playing the Highlanders.
Anton Lienert-Brown was not impressed by being carted off the field at a crucial moment with his Chiefs playing the Highlanders.
The smart mouthguard has sensors inside that detect accelerations and decelerations
Crusaders star Quinten Strange was also unimpressed with being hooked due to the readings on the smart mouthguard he was wearing.
“Oh wow, there’s going to be a bit of talk about these HIAs,” Sky Sport commentator Tony Johnson commented on Stan Sport’s coverage.
‘This is another result of these mouthguards.
“You see the mouthguard, smart mouthguards, I’m not really sure how smart they are right now.”
Johnson questioned the timing of HIA’s call in the Highlanders vs Chiefs game, with Lienert-Brown dragged in with the game on the line and just one point in it.
“This is huge because it leaves them without such an important member of their defensive line,” he said.
‘Quinn Strange left in the first half. He didn’t seem to know what was going on. Anton Leinert-Brown says, “Are you kidding me?”
World Rugby has invested more than 3 million dollars in the creation of these mouthguards. The devices send real-time alerts to sideline medics during games, flagging high-velocity impacts that may indicate possible concussions.
Scotland’s George Turner was the first player to be hooked from the field for a HIA due to a smart mouthguard alert.
All Blacks champion Jeff Wilson said there may be issues with the thresholds set for new smart mouthguards.
Former All Black Jeff Wilson noted there have been challenges with the thresholds set for mouthguards. However, he emphasized that once a certain impact point is reached, players are required to leave the game for safety reasons.
“It’s certainly not a perfect practice, they’ve admitted they have something to learn,” Wilson said.
‘But it is for the safety (of the interests) of the players. At the moment, he is certainly having a critical effect on the Chiefs.”
Lienert-Brown’s HIA had no bearing on the final result as his Chiefs scored a penalty shortly after he left the field to claim a thrilling victory.
However, Chiefs captain Scott Barrett was unimpressed at having to lose a star player with the game on the line when he showed no obvious signs of a concussion.
“Honestly, I think it’s a step too far for a player when you get dragged away and look around wondering ‘what really happened?'” Barrett said.
“Obviously, yes, we want the welfare of the players and that is paramount, but I think if you are influencing the game when key players leave and they don’t know why, I think it can be frustrating for a player.” There has to be a middle ground somewhere internally.”