All Blacks fullback Ben Smith has provided a positive report on the health of fellow back Ryan Crotty.
Crotty was forced from the field during the Bledisloe Cup opener in Sydney, after he suffered yet another concussion in a head-clash with midfield partner Jack Goodhue.
Smith said the signs were encouraging for the midfielder in the near 48 hours since the All Blacks' runaway 38-13 win.
"Over the last day, he doesn’t seem too bad," said Smith, who describes himself as a "good mate" of Crotty's. "His symptoms weren't bad.
"I think you just have to take it as it comes. That's why the protocol's there, and I'm sure he'll take that time and be back when he's ready."
And Smith knows a thing or two about the after-effects of concussion.
The Highlanders fullback fell heavily in the first test against the Lions last year and failed the subsequent head-injury assessment, which ultimately ruled him out of the rest of the series.
Earlier that season, Smith also suffered two head injuries in Super Rugby.
The Highlanders fullback said he'd already seen improvement in Crotty.
"Just giving him the time to go home and get what he needs will help him going forward. We're just there for him as a mate."
Crotty has already been ruled out of Saturday's return fixture at Eden Park, with the All Blacks likely to go with either Anton Lienert-Brown or Ngani Laumape as his replacement.
The concussion was Crotty's sixth in the past 15 months and has lead to widespread calls for him to consider early retirement.
The 29-year-old received a clean bill of health after undergoing further testing on Sunday, but All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is likely to take a cautious approach to his return.
"He's already seen a specialist and they've given him the all-clear," said Hansen.
"From our understanding, as long as you fully recover and don't go back when you're not fully recovered, then you're okay.
"He's just unlucky. Last night was real freaky, friendly fire from Jack Goodhue straight in the face and it would have knocked most of us out."
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