The NRL is set to undertake a full investigation into the Eli Katoa incident after the Tonga and Melbourne Storm star was rushed to hospital and underwent surgery after multiple head knocks. This comes as details of teammate Leka Halasima’s quick thinking while attending Katoa have emerged.
There were terrifying scenes during Tonga’s Pacific Championships loss to New Zealand when Katoa was rushed to hospital following ‘seizure activities’ on the bench. Before the game, Katoa copped a sickening head knock during his team’s warm-up.
The NRL will undertake an investigation into the Eli Katoa incident as details come to light about Leka Halasima’s quick thinking while attending his teammate. (Images: Getty Images/@mikeburgess99)
Teammate Lehi Hopoate jumped up to take a high-ball and collided with Katoa. The second-rower was seen on the ground and appeared to be in distress ahead of the kick-off. But Katoa took to the field with coach Kristian Woolf having defended the procedures that allowed him to play.
Unfortunately, Katoa took two more head knocks during the contest. Katoa passed the first HIA in the first-half, but exited the game after the second head knock. And the 25-year-old started to feel ill on the sideline and required an oxygen mask.
“Eli Katoa was taken to hospital after suffering seizure activity on the bench during the second half of yesterday’s Pacific Championships match between Tonga and New Zealand,” Melbourne said in a statement. “Eli underwent surgery overnight and is in a stable condition being supported by his partner and mother.”
And NRL reporter David Riccio has shed some light on the scenes at Eden Park. Speaking on SEN Radio, the reporter claimed national teammate Halasima was quick to react to Katoa’s deteriorating health as he called for assistance.
“I reckon, in my time covering rugby league, I haven’t seen this unfold before. And what unfolded…was on the sideline Eli Katoa was certainly showing signs of distress. And his health deteriorating. I was in the press box and I was watching it unfold,” Riccio said on SEN Radio on Monday.
“The first thing that sparked my interest was Leka Halasima was the one showing the most concern. Gesturing, pointing, asking support staff and teammates for assistance for Eli Katoa…you could see his body was starting to go limp. It was at that point there was genuine concern.” Riccio said a number of Katoa’s teammates and staff helped him, before he was taken to hospital with an oxygen mask. Riccio said the NRL are going to undertake an investigation into the matter with concern to how Katoa ended up in such a state.
Leka Halasima (pictured middle) was credited for quickly helping teammate Eli Katoa during his sideline scare. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
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NRL to investigate into Eli Katoa incident
As Riccio confirmed, the said the matter was under investigation by the NRL. “Our first priority is the health of Eliesa Katoa,” an NRL spokesperson said.
“The NRL chief medical officer is monitoring his condition and is in close contact with the medical experts involved. The NRL is currently reviewing the circumstances of Sunday’s events in line with usual practice.”
The Storm star posted a photo of himself on a drip in hospital and thanked fans for the well wishes. “Appreciate everyone for checking in, sorry if I haven’t got back to any of you guys but I really appreciate all the love and messages. Ofa atu,” he wrote on Instagram. Katoa is said to be in good spirits, and has messaged his Storm teammates for reaching out to him.
Eliesa Katoa (pictured) is recovering in hospital after surgery following a scare during his appearance for Tonga.
Kristian Woolf addresses Katoa incident
Katoa’s injury prompted Tonga coach Kristian Woolf to defend the processes and claimed everything was done by the book to allow the forward to take to the field. “My job is not to question doctors,” Woolf said. “They were both comfortable with that and comfortable with him coming on to the field.”
Rugby League fans were quick to rally around Katoa after the concern. Rugby League Players’ Association chief operating officer Luke Ellis said the organisation would also be looking into the incident.
“Ensuring a safe environment for players is the remit of the NRL,” Ellis said. “So along with our own enquiries, we will be trusting them to work through this and understand what occurred.”