Overview
- Eli Katoa experienced seizure activity on the bench after multiple head impacts during Tonga’s match against New Zealand and had surgery overnight.
- Melbourne Storm said Katoa is in a stable condition and that club doctors are in close contact with the hospital and Tonga’s team chief medical officer.
- Katoa absorbed a heavy accidental shoulder from teammate Lehi Hopoate in the warm-up, then sustained further head knocks during the game.
- He passed an initial Head Injury Assessment, returned to play, was later ruled out after another incident, and was photographed receiving oxygen on a stretcher.
- Tonga coach Kristian Woolf defended the handling as by the book, as prominent commentators questioned the decision to let Katoa continue, and Katoa posted from hospital thanking supporters.