NRL fans have rallied around emerging St George-Illawarra Dragons star Loko Pasifiki Tonga after he was rushed to hospital in frightening scenes that rocked the club’s training session on Thursday. The 20-year-old was seen being stretchered into the back of an ambulance with a suspected neck injury, but the club confirmed on Thursday afternoon that he had escaped serious injury.
It’s understood the towering middle forward was injured during a regulation tackle during the training session in Wollongong. He remained on the ground for some time after the incident, before indicating to teammates and coaching staff that it appeared to be a neck issue.
The Dragons have provided an update on emerging NRL forward Loko Pasifiki Tonga after he was rushed to hospital after a training incident on Thursday. Pic: Getty/NRL Physio
Paramedics were swiftly called to the scene to assess the injury to the prop, who was placed in a neck brace before being loaded into an ambulance. He was transported to the nearby Wollongong hospital for further assessment.
“St George Illawarra Dragons forward Loko Pasifiki Tonga was taken to hospital for precautionary scans following a suspected neck injury sustained at training today,” the club statement read. “He was conscious and communicating with medical staff at all times. The club will provide an update on his condition once further information becomes available.”
Dragons confirm Loko Pasifiki Tonga escaped serious injury
Later on Thursday, Dragons confirmed that Pasifiki Tonga had been cleared of any serious injury concerns. He was able to return to the club’s training facilities and is set to undergo further assessments to determine when he’ll be able to return to action.
“He will be monitored by our medical staff over the coming days before a determination is made on his availability to play this weekend,” the club added in a later statement. The 20-year-old prop was named to start in Sunday’s NSW Cup clash for the Dragons against Parramatta at CommBank Stadium, but would appear to be in some doubt to play.
Loko Pasifiki Tonga made his NRL debut for the Dragons in 2025 and featured in 10 games for coach Shane Flanagan’s side. Pic: Getty
(Matt King via Getty Images)
Pasifiki Tonga is yet to feature for the Dragons in first-grade this year, after making his NRL debut for the club in the Round 10 defeat to the Warriors in 2025. The 196cm man mountain is considered a strong chance of cementing a spot in Dragons’ coach Shane Flanagan’s first-grade squad this season after featuring 10 times in the NRL last season.
He averaged 74 run metres and a tick under 17 tackles per game for the Dragons in 2025, having come up through the club’s junior ranks. After joining the Dragons in 2023, Pasifiki Tonga helped their SG Ball side win their first title in 32 years the following year. He also featured for the NSW Under 19s State of Origin side in 2024, before making the step up to NSW Cup, and eventually the NRL in 2025.