Tonga league player Eliesa Katoa has undergone surgery after he suffered "seizure activity" on the bench during the second half of Sunday's Pacific Championship match between Mate Ma'a Tonga and New Zealand.
The 25-year-old was seen slouching in his seat minutes after he left the field following a third head knock. He was fitted with an oxygen mask before being stretchered off the field.
His NRL club, the Melbourne Storm, have provided an update, saying he was in a stable condition after surgery.
"Melbourne Storm forward 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.
"Eli underwent surgery overnight and is in a stable condition being supported by his partner and mother. Storm medical staff remain in close contact with the hospital and Tonga’s team Chief Medical Officer."
Posting to his Instagram page, Katoa said he appreciated everyone checking in.
"Sorry if I haven’t got back to any of you guys, bit I really appreciate all the love and the messages (sic)."
Tonga coach Kristian Woolf has defended the handling of Eli Katoa's head knocks.
"Obviously it wasn’t great on the sideline," Woolf said at a post-match media conference.
"I don’t know the full details, but I’m told he was responsive and improving before being taken to hospital."
Katoa was involved in three separate incidents, including a heavy collision during the warm-up and two in-game head knocks. He passed all the standard head injury assessments.
"My job’s not to question doctors. They’re both comfortable with that and comfortable with him coming back onto the field. Unfortunately, I think he’s copped a second hit that’s quite heavy and there’s been a bit of a poor result on the back of that."
The Kiwis will face Samoa in the Pacific Cup final next Sunday in Sydney after beating Tonga 40-14.
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