Tonga: We wouldn’t have let Katoa play if we’d seen this footage of warm-up clash

Tonga officials say they would have prevented Eli Katoa from playing in Sunday’s Pacific Championships match against New Zealand had they seen the damning TV footage of him being floored in a heavy collision during the warm-up.

Katoa was flattened by teammate Lehi Hopoate while contesting a high ball before kick-off at Eden Park.

TV commentators immediately questioned whether Katoa would be fit to play against the Kiwis, and viewers were shown replays of the sickening impact early in the game. However, the first time the Tongans were made aware of the vision was after full-time.

Sources with knowledge of the situation not authorised to speak publicly said Tonga staff were disappointed nobody at the ground had alerted them to the pre-game footage. The same source said they would have quickly taken action and brought in a replacement player had they seen it.

Two Tongan medical staff assessed Katoa after the collision in the warm-up, while also considering feedback from teammates and Katoa himself. Katoa was not given a head impact assessment.

Having been passed fit to play, Katoa was forced from the field in the 10th minute after colliding with teammate Will Penisini and, though he passed his HIA, was brought from the field a second time after appearing to stumble when trying to stop New Zealand prop Naufahu Whyte in the 51st minute.

He then suffered delayed concussion symptoms while sitting on the sideline and was rushed from the ground on the back of a medicab and given oxygen. He later underwent surgery to have fluid drained from his brain.

Katoa was in good spirits in hospital on Tuesday. He will remain in hospital another few days but is not expected to fly home to Melbourne until next week. He was able to recall the events leading up to the game and what happened during the 40-14 loss to New Zealand.

While there has been plenty of debate about why Katoa was allowed play, questions will be asked about the lack of game-day communication and why Tonga’s medical staff were not shown vital TV footage that could have prevented an incident that has left a player seriously injured in hospital and hurt the image of rugby league.

Coaches rarely watch the live broadcast and therefore are unaware of what is being said on commentary during the game.

The NRL is conducting a thorough review, but not expected to deliver its findings until next week.

“Our first priority is the health of Eliesa Katoa,” an NRL spokesperson said. “The NRL Chief Medical Officer is monitoring his condition and is in close contact with the medical experts involved.

“The NRL is currently reviewing the circumstances of Sunday’s events in line with usual practice.”

Independent doctors watch NRL matches and regularly rule players out if they display concussion symptoms, but are not required to watch footage before a game including the warm-up.

Katoa posted a photo of himself from his hospital bed on Monday, and said: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

“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.”

Samoa co-captain Junior Paulo said players would always be reluctant to rule themselves out if they displayed concussion symptoms, so it was always important for the medical staff to make the right call.

“Most rugby league players aren’t going to say ‘no’ or turn down the opportunity to represent your country or play in the NRL in general,” Paulo said.

“There are protocols in place for why you probably shouldn’t be allowed to return to the field, and that’s for the health concerns.”