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Blue Card Initiative

When a Blue Card is issued to a player, this means the referee suspects they have suffered concussion on the field of play. The player must leave the field immediately and may not return until having completed the graduated return to play (GRTP) protocols - minimum 21 days for all players.

Graduated Return to Play Protocols (GRTP)

The following lays out the full procedure for the application of a Blue Card.


Concussion Management Procedure

Referees have received education around the identification of concussion and the associated symptoms. Any referee has licence to show a player a Blue Card if, during the course of a match, the referee identifies they have suffered a blow and consequently show indications to suggest that they may be suffering from concussion. There is no appeal right to the issuing of a Blue Card. The issuing of a Blue Card then triggers a formal off-field follow up procedure.

At the conclusion of the match the referee will report the Blue Card that has been issued to the WRFU.

The WRFU will draft a letter to the school and player concerned confirming that the player has been stood down from playing rugby because of concussion or suspected concussion. This letter outlines the process by which they can ultimately return to play. This process is as outlined in the New Zealand Rugby guideline for Community Rugby - Returning to Play Following Concussion - this is available here.  

The essential elements of this guideline are that a player must:

  • Have no on-going symptoms, and;

  • Have completed the minimum rest period from playing, and;

  • Have undertaken a graduated return to play protocol, and;

  • Have been cleared by a doctor.

It is recommended that the suspected concussed player seeks medical attention within 24 hours. To be assessed and provided with advice about undertaking a return to play.

Having completed a graduated return to play process as outlined in the guideline, a player must obtain medical clearance to resume playing.

A player must produce a clearance letter to be signed by a doctor, then return it to WRFU, to be permitted to resume playing. The player will have been provided with a specific form for this purpose. This must be received by the WRFU office 24 hours before scheduled return to play and WRFU will reimburse the player for their doctor's visit.

The player is then cleared to return to play.

The card removes any doubt as to whether the player should be removed on the suspicion of a concussion being present. There can be no opportunity for the player to return to the field on that same day if they "recover".

The procedure outlined here has been endorsed by New Zealand Rugby for use in the community game.

The need for greater awareness of the symptoms and treatment of concussion is a priority in the RugbySmart programme and is a commitment from New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and Wellington Rugby.

Through RugbySmart coaches, players and referees are taught to understand and recognise the symptoms of concussion and take responsibility for the player's welfare if concussion is suspected.

Players must always get medical clearance before returning to training or play. Wellington Rugby's position on concussion is clear, and includes the coaching commitment that 'good technique is safe technique'.

To find out more about NZR's concussion guidelines and what you - or someone you know - has to do to return to play when you've had a concussion, visit this webpage.