The HIA was introduced for the welfare of players, bur now it seems the HIA is being tactically abused.
More dubious calls from the French doctors saw two players leave the pitch with supposed HIA’s despite obviously having knee injuries and fans were very annoyed.
Ireland went on to win the game thanks to a last-gasp drop-goal, but that doesn’t mean the issue should be forgotten.
Watch the second controversial incident below before reading players, legends and fans strong opinions.
Just because we won with an INCREDIBLE 42 METER drop goal that HIA decision shouldn’t get swept under the carpet. It was nothing short of a disgrace!!!
— Brian O’Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) February 3, 2018
HIA!!!???? @WorldRugby do something !!!!!! pic.twitter.com/FMgjYX5JXP
— TheWelshDragon 🐉 (@TheWelshDragon9) February 3, 2018
That’s an injury replacement. No HIA
— Brian O’Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) February 3, 2018
That’s wrong!
— Brian O’Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) February 3, 2018
Hmmmmm? Not sure that’s a HIA? Nigel Owens can only make the decision based on the info he’s given. Could tell he wasn’t convinced!
— Matthew Kvesic (@mattkvesic) February 3, 2018
Disgraceful from France again.
That’s 2 years in a row that they have abused the HIA protocols to gain a competitive advantage on the field.
Another World Rugby inquiry is needed in to that incident.#IREvFRA
— rugby (@theblitzdefence) February 3, 2018
On what planet is that HIA, are his brains in his kneecaps now? #FRAvIRL
— William Lloyd (@rallywill) February 3, 2018
Are France trying one on there? An HIA after a knee to knee collision???
— Andrew McKenna (@talkMacca) February 3, 2018
Nigel Owens rightly questioning this.
HIA/ replacement at this stage is important.
— Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) February 3, 2018
Dubious calls from France’s doctors again? Surely not…#FRAIRL
— Matt Merritt (@MattMerritt) February 3, 2018
France love the use of the HIA, I call bullsh*t but they get away with it. Nige asked the right questions and has to take the docs words
— BathBytes (@BathBytes) February 3, 2018
Totally gutted that they are saying hrh for France, bloke hurt his knee not head #France should be down a man now…. #Rugby
— laura24 (@LauraCarpenter2) February 3, 2018
No way was that a head injury…zut alors ref! #6Nations2018 #FRAvIRE
— Gin Genie (@Gin_Genie) February 3, 2018
Scan from Machenaud’s HIA: #FRAvIRE pic.twitter.com/irqeqS3HMb
— Mike (@latetotheruck) February 3, 2018
France faking HIA..cheating Frogs ‘AGAIN’ #IREvFRA
— Gregory Arthur (@gregarthur77) February 3, 2018
I understand he’s not a doctor I never said he was or wasn’t but from the minute he went yo ground and Nigel Owens went over to assess the situation he put his hands on his head for a HIA before anyone including the doctors said otherwise dont get me wrong I think he’s a gr8 ref
— Laura (@smurf_lola12) February 3, 2018
Did the French Team Doctor not study biology? When is an hia not an hia? When it’s a blatant knee injury but you want to cheat!
— Kirsty Morgan (@kittykirmo) February 3, 2018
@WorldRugby the HIA was introduced for the welfare of players, now HIA is being tactically abused #FRAvIRE #fairplay #integrity #ethos
— Kev Green (@KG3665) February 3, 2018