Return-to-play after injury: practices in New Zealand rugby union

Results. A response rate of 73% was recorded. Results demonstrated that the NPC teams used a more structured approach to assessment. Full recovery was not always deemed necessary before a player returned to training and competition, and set procedures were not always communicated or followed. Despite the high profile given to 'fitness testing', this element did not rank highly as a return to play criteria. Conclusions: This study indicates that RTP evaluations do not appear to follow set procedures. The high incidence of reinjury in rugby union could potentially be reduced through the use of standardised RTP assessment procedures.