Hurricanes captain Conrad Smith will remain in South Africa this week despite concussion ruling him out of their next Super Rugby game against the Cheetahs.
Veteran All Blacks centre Smith was knocked out when attempting a tackle against the Bulls during last Saturday’s 48-14 loss in Pretoria. He was unconscious for nearly a minute before being stretchered off for treatment.
The injury has raised questions over the 31-year-old’s longevity in rugby due to a history of head knocks dating back to 2006. He was diagnosed with concussion following the season-opening match against the Blues.
Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett could not say when Smith would next play but he is definitely sidelined from the match in Bloemfontein on Sunday morning (AEST).
Smith had asked to stay with the team to help prepare for the next game and will remain under the care of team doctor Theo Dorfling.
“In terms of my perspective he’s seems very chirpy and quite upbeat,” Hammett said.
“He came down to training with us and took a very limited part in that. In terms of his general well being, his general feeling, he’s very up. Probably more so than he thought he would be as well.”
Hammett said Smith had failed his first psychometric test for concussion straight after the game.
He will undergo further tests this week and it was unclear when he will be available to play again and whether he is fit for the three home All Black Tests against France in June.
Hammett understood the length of time unconscious after a head knock has little bearing on the severity of a concussion.
“Like all injuries, particularly these types of injuries, we’ve got to be really careful and monitor them,” Hammett said.
“Conrad’s a very, very smart man as well, there’s no way he’d put himself at undue risk.”
Hammett said Smith’s teammates and players and management from the Bulls had all shown concern for the 66-Test veteran after the game.
There was relief and surprise when he arrived back at the team hotel later in the evening in a positive state.
He had since been part of a winning team during a Hurricanes’ quiz night.
“I suspect he was the guy who put most of the answers in to that,” Hammett said.
