All Blacks star Wallace Sititi was taken to hospital after suffering a sickening head injury during the Chiefs\u2019 46-24 victory over the Queensland Reds in their Super Rugby Pacific qualifying final.<\/p>\n
The 23-year-old loose forward required lengthy medical treatment after a heavy collision involving Reds enforcer Lukhan Salakaia-Loto. Sititi appeared to make contact with Salakaia-Loto\u2019s shoulder before subsequently colliding with the head of Chiefs teammate Sione Ahio.<\/p>\n
\u2b50 Save us to your\u00a0Google Favourites<\/a>\u00a0for nonstop RUCK content!<\/p>\n The incident left players and spectators visibly concerned as Sititi rolled himself into the recovery position before appearing to shake while lying on the turf.<\/p>\n Referee officials immediately halted play to allow medical staff onto the field. Following an extended period of treatment, Sititi eventually returned to his feet, although television footage appeared to show the young All Black looking dazed and disoriented.<\/p>\n Given the severity of the collision, the Chiefs medical team made the decision to send Sititi to hospital for further assessment.<\/p>\n The tackle was reviewed by the Television Match Official, with Salakaia-Loto initially shown a yellow card. However, after reviewing the footage, officials elected not to upgrade the sanction to a red card, ruling that there was sufficient mitigation because Sititi had dropped in height prior to contact.<\/p>\n Despite the worrying scenes, the Chiefs went on to secure a convincing 46-24 win over the Reds and book their place in the next stage of the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs.<\/p>\n Tim Horan breaks down Lukhan Salakaia-Loto’s hit on Wallace Sititi and says it was ‘friendly fire’, but the right call \ud83d\udc40<\/p>\n A yellow card was given, and Lukhan sent off for 10 minutes.<\/p>\n \u21b3 Super Rugby Pacific. Every Match. Live & Exclusive.#StanSportAU<\/a> #SuperRugbyPacific<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/uibVAcysQm<\/a><\/p>\n