Charlie Ngatai released by All Blacks over concussion concerns

Charlie Ngatai has been released again from the All Blacks squad due to concussion symptoms and management don’t know when the one-Test back will return to rugby.

Chiefs inside centre Ngatai hasn’t played since suffering a head knock a month ago after he was named in the All Blacks squad for the three-Test series but released soon after they gathered last week, with Blues back George Moala called in as a reinforcement.

Ngatai rejoined the squad yesterday but he continues to suffer from occasional headaches, prompting medical staff to recommend he return home to Hamilton.

Assistant coach Ian Foster says a risk-free approach is best when dealing with the uncertainty of concussion.

“He’ll carry on going through the protocols so our advice is it’s better to leave him out,” Foster said.

“It was good for him to connect and we’ll just review that on a week-by-week basis.”

The 25-year-old made his debut in 2015 off the bench against Samoa in Apia.