Supporting Brain Health Across Rugby: the 2026-2027 Brain Health and Concussion Plan

Protecting brain health and player safety is a shared responsibility across rugby. The 2026/2027 Brain Health and Concussion Plan sets out how everyone involved in the game can play their part in creating safer environments and supporting lifelong participation.

New Zealand Rugby, the Rugby Players Association and the New Zealand Rugby Foundation are pleased to release the 2026/2027 Brain Health and Concussion Plan. The Plan provides a practical, evidence informed framework focused on reducing concussion risk, strengthening injury management, and supporting safe participation at all levels of the game. It recognises that brain health is not just about what happens on the field, but also about culture, behaviour, education, and the systems that surround the player.

Across rugby, open conversations about brain health and player welfare are essential. By encouraging discussion and reinforcing safety focused protocols, we help create environments where players feel supported to speak up about their wellbeing, whether they are playing community rugby, professional rugby, or transitioning out of the game.

• There are five pillars in the plan:
  Education & Training is focused on providing clear, consistent education and training that helps players, coaches, officials, medical staff and whānau understand concussion risks, recognise symptoms early, and make decisions that prioritise brain health.
• Through Injury Prevention, we continue refining training practices, game laws, formats and player load to ensure concussion prevention keeps pace with emerging insights and evolving participation needs.
• Injury Management is focused on providing individualised support for all players (community, professional and retired) so that they receive the care they need based on their individual circumstances.
• We take an evidence-based approach to decision making, underpinned by the Research & Monitoring pillar, using reporting behaviours, education uptake, injury data quality, and compliance to inform this Plan, strengthen concussion risk management, promote player safety, and continuously evolve the game.
• Policies, Laws & Regulations ensures our frameworks are regularly reviewed in line with evolving research and continue to support effective injury prevention and management.

The Brain Health and Concussion Plan is updated each year to ensure it keeps pace with the new research and regulations across the game. This regular review helps us continuously improve how concussion is managed, adapt the game where needed, and make sure player safety remains the top priority at every level.

Read more about our commitment to manage the risks of concussion and support brain health here: Our commitment

And check out the latest Plan here: 2026-2027 Brain Health & Concussion Plan