Tongan star recovering after needing fluid drained from brain

Tongan and Melbourne backrower Eli Katoa has had surgery to remove fluid from the brain and will be banned from flying home to Melbourne for up to a week as he recovers in Auckland from a series of sickening head knocks.

Katoa left Eden Park on the back of a medicab and with an oxygen mask after suffering delayed concussion symptoms whilst sitting on the sidelines during Sunday’s 40-14 Pacific Championships loss to New Zealand.

A spokesperson for the NRL said they are investigating Tonga’s handling of Katoa who was captured by TV cameras being flattened trying to contest a high ball with teammate Lehi Hopoate during the warm-up. He was then forced off the field – twice – in the 10th minute and 51st minute for head injury assessments.

Under the rules, players cannot play on after a second HIA. There has been no precedent when a player has suffered a concussion during warm-up.

Several medical officers among NRL clubs with no links to Tonga, and not authorised to speak publicly, said they believed Katoa should have been stopped from returning to play after the hit in the 10th minute, especially having already been on the end of a hit before the game.

Tongan officials were unaware of the graphic vision of Katoa having his head slammed back by Hopoate being circulated only until after full-time.

Katoa was on the end of friendly fire from Tongan centre Will Penisini in the 10th minute, while the third and final incident featured the 25-year-old stumbling to the ground as he tried to stop Naufahu Whyte.

Sources with knowledge of Katoa’s condition confirmed he needed fluid drained from his brain, but he was in good spirits on Monday, and even able to recall everything that had taken place the previous day.

Two Tongan doctors assessed Katoa during the warm-up, while Katoa himself assured everyone he was fit to play.

The independent doctor can only make their decisions based on footage from games, not from vision before kick-off.

Katoa posted a photo of himself from his hospital bed to inform his followers he was recovering.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” Katoa posted on Instagram.

“Appreciate everyone for checking in, sorry I haven’t got back to any of you guys, but I really appreciate all the love and messages. Ofa atu.”

The Storm released a statement on Monday, which read: “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.

“The club will provide a further update as additional information becomes available.”

The Rugby League Players Association is seeking further information. “Ensuring a safe environment for players is the remit of the NRL,” RLPA chief operating officer Luke Ellis said. “So along with our own inquiries, we will be trusting them to work through this and understand what occurred.”

Tongan coach Kristian Woolf confirmed after the loss, which ended the campaign for his Pacific nation: “Obviously he [Katoa] wasn’t great on the sidelines, but I don’t know the full details.

“The doctors have gone with him [to hospital], but he wasn’t great on the sidelines.

“But I’m told he was responsive, and he was improving before he went to the hospital; we’ve got two very experienced doctors there.

“They’ve done their usual HIA. He’s passed all that and passed all that well.

“My job is not to question doctors. They were both comfortable with that, and comfortable with him coming back onto the field.”

Andrew Voss called the game for Fox Sports, and was unimpressed Katoa had been allowed to play on, later describing the scenes on SEN 1170: “Sickening. Unbelievable situation. I think it’s indefensible personally.

“If I’m Melbourne, I’m saying I want a full detailed description of how that played out.

“Looking at that incident before the game, that’s category 1 to my untrained doctor eye.

“Melbourne wouldn’t send him back on after that.”

with Robert Dillon

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