Johnny Sexton has been cleared to play in the second Test against New Zealand, after confusion about the Ireland captain’s head injury assessment in the first Test.
This after the All Blacks were dealt a blow when delayed concussion ruled veteran lock Sam Whitelock out of the Dunedin rematch on Saturday.
Sexton left the field after taking a blow to the head 30 minutes into the first Test – won 42-19 by the All Blacks – and when the flyhalf did not return it was assumed he had failed his HIA.
A World Rugby crackdown on head injuries requires players with concussion symptoms to be rested for a compulsory 12 days.
But Ireland assistant coach Mike Catt told reporters on Tuesday that Sexton had passed two subsequent tests and was available to play.
“Johnny is fit, Johnny passed every test that he needed to pass, so from my point of view he’s good to go,” he said.
Catt also had a word of sympathy for the All Blacks saying it was a “big blow” to lose Whitelock, one of the stars of their first Test victory in Auckland.
“Sam has played some amazing games and is a brilliant rugby player but we’re under no illusions – the next person stepping in is not that far behind Sam,” he said.
