Johnny Sexton looks likely to miss Ireland's second Test against New Zealand after failing a HIA during this morning's 42-19 loss at Eden Park.
Sexton was injured in the build up to Sevu Reece's intercept try after slipping and crashing into the knees of All Black captain Sam Cane.
He did not return to the pitch.
The new World Rugby HIA requirements introduced last month imposed a 12-day stand-down period for a player who has failed a HIA.
That would seemingly rule Sexton out of the second Ireland v New Zealand test next Saturday.
However, Ireland coach Andy Farrell however told reporters after the game that Sexton was not ruled out of next Saturday's second Test just yet, He said Sexton passed his HIA 2.
2 July 2022; Ireland v New Zealand, players, from left, James Lowe, Dan Sheehan and Joe McCarthy after their side's defeat in the Steinlager Series match between the New Zealand and Ireland at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Ireland v New Zealand: Injury Crisis?
It is the latest in a slew of setbacks for the Irish squad following injuries to Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, and Jeremy Loughman, while Mack Hansen and Finlay Bealham were forced to missed today's Test after testing positive for COVID-19.
Dave Heffernan was also forced off the field with what appeared to be a head injury. Footage shows the substitute hooker stumbling after receiving a knock in a tackle.
Deja vu, Dave Heffernan clearly stumbles after a head collision. Assessed by physio on pitch and allowed to play on pic.twitter.com/pEKHHhSt57
— Rúaidhrí O'Connor (@RuaidhriOC) July 2, 2022
If he is forced to miss game time it will add to the already severe pressure on Ireland's depth at hooker after Ronan Kelleher failed to make the initial squad due to injury, and the aforementioned injury to third-choice Rob Herring.
Ireland v New Zealand Recap
Ireland were comfortably second best in today's first Test at Eden Park, and it was always going to be a huge ask considering New Zealand had not been beaten there in 46 consecutive tests.
Ireland started the stronger of two sides with Keith Earls going over early to give them a 5-0 lead. However, it was almost exclusively downhill from then on and four tries in seventeen first half minutes gave the All Blacks a 28-5 lead at the break.
Ireland did manage two second-half tries through Garry Ringrose and Bundee Aki, and were held up twice over the line and knocked the ball on twice in the process of scoring. New Zealand stood relatively firm however and scored two second half tries of their own for a final score of 42-19.
SEE ALSO: Ireland v New Zealand : Ireland Player Ratings: Farrell's Men Mauled At Eden Park
