Speaking on his podcast the Play On Sport Show, Johnson, who played 35 tests for the Kiwis, said he was \u201cangry\u201d with how the situation was handled.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t get how it can even get to that point, but from a player\u2019s view, we just hope that Eli\u2019s all good,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cAnyone that\u2019s been in that situation or has seen teammates in that situation, it\u2019s the worst thing to see.<\/p>\n
Medical staff attend to Eli Katoa. Photo \/ NZ Herald<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel a bit angry about the situation. There is going to be fallout over this. There are going to be some heads that are rolled because I do not know how Eli Katoa was allowed to take the field.\u201d<\/p>\n
Katoa\u2019s first knock came in the warm-up when he was on the wrong end of an accidental but sickening-looking hit from teammate Lehi Hopoate as the two contested a ball.<\/p>\n
The independent doctor can only review incidents that occur during games and as this incident took place beforehand, it was up to Tonga\u2019s team doctors to review the situation. They declared him fit to play.<\/p>\n
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the medical staff didn\u2019t see the incident, but if they had, it\u2019s reported they would have ruled Katoa out of the match before a ball was kicked.<\/p>\n
Katoa copped an accidental elbow from a teammate in the game\u2019s 10th minute and came off for a head injury assessment (HIA), but passed that.<\/p>\n
In the second half, he got caught in an awkward position trying to make a tackle on Naufahu Whyte and came off second-best. As it was his second HIA, he was immediately ruled out for the remainder of the match.<\/p>\n
Shaun Johnson playing for the Kiwis. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
Johnson said had the first knock happened during the match, he would have been ruled out of the match, which brings the current rules into question.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn warm-up, he has a shoulder to the head … loose body to the ground,\u201d Johnson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll I thought straight away when I saw that was if that happened in a game or if that happened at training during the week, he\u2019s done and they\u2019d probably go cat one [category 1] on it so he wouldn\u2019t even sit an HIA and would be done.\u201d<\/p>\n
Former All Blacks halfback Steve Devine, who says he\u2019s taken \u201c30 to 40 knocks\u201d during his playing days, is helping with new ground-breaking technology \u2013 known as the Nurochek headset \u2013 which will allow head injuries to be detected in just two minutes, delivering an objective test result based on a binary yes or no.<\/p>\n
Devine has been meeting with multiple sporting organisations in recent weeks, with the first devices set to arrive later this week.<\/p>\n
Former All Black Steve Devine, pictured during a press conference to unveil a concussion diagnosis breakthrough and brain scanner called Nurochek. Devine suffered many head knocks during his playing career. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
He says the device will help take the burden off doctors, who might feel pressured in certain situations to make a hasty call.<\/p>\n
Stacey Mowbray, chief executive of Headway \u2013 a concussion and brain injury education charity \u2013 said there needs to be improved education so everyone understands the signs and symptoms of concussion.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe science is clear \u2013 repeated head injuries within a short time frame can have devastating, lifelong consequences,\u201d Mowbray said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is why concussion education is vital. Recognising concussion symptoms and removing immediately is how we protect our community and our players.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis isn\u2019t just about one incident, it\u2019s about changing the culture of all sport at all levels to prioritise brain health. We owe it to every athlete, at every level, to protect their future beyond the game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Katoa provided an update on Instagram on Monday morning, alongside a picture of an intravenous drip in his arm.<\/p>\n
\u201cAppreciate everyone for checking in, sorry if I haven\u2019t got back to any of you guys, but I really appreciate all the love and the messages,\u201d Katoa wrote.<\/p>\n
The incident overshadowed a great spectacle for international rugby league, with more than 38,000 fans at Eden Park to watch the Kiwis claim a 40-14 win to book their place in Sunday\u2019s Pacific Cup final against Samoa.<\/p>\n