Lol it wasnt outside the game at all. He could have slipped over getting on the team bus and its still "related"... Im sure the players will have a clause in their contract that not only limits some outside physical activity but also a requirement to notify the club of any injury suffered in their personal time.
241
🇳🇿
🇹🇴
Second Row,
Active
Debut: 2020-03-14
-
Age
193
Height (cm)
110
Weight (kg)
241
🇳🇿
🇹🇴
Second Row,
Active
Debut: 2020-03-14
-
Age
193
Height (cm)
110
Weight (kg)
Player Eliesa Katoa
- Thread starter Inruin
- Start date
- Full Name
- Eliesa Katoa
- Date of Birth
- Jan 3, 2000
- Birth Location
- Hihifo, Niuatoputapu, Tonga
- Nationality
- 🇳🇿 New Zealand
- 🇹🇴 Tonga
- Height (cm)
- 193 cm
- Weight (kg)
- 110 kg
- Position/s
- Second Row
- Warrior #
- 241
- NRL Debut Date
- Mar 14, 2020
- NRL Debut Details
- 2020, Round 1, New Zealand Warriors vs Newcastle Knights
- Warriors Debut Date
- Mar 14, 2020
- Warriors Debut Details
- 2020, Round 1, Newcastle Knights
- Warriors Years Active
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
- College/s
- Tamaki College
- Signed To
- Melbourne Storm
- Current Club
- Melbourne Storm
- Status
- Active
- Rugby League Project
- https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/eliesa-katoa/summary.html
NZWarriors.com
Accountability makes lots of people fast runners and expert dodgers.
Eliesa is paying the highest cost. But crazy how nobody has the gumption to say "I am so sorry for not ensuring the care and welfare of this player. I understand the criticism over this and am prepared to accept responsibility for my actions or lack thereof."
Lots of "our guys did the right thing" and "we didn't know" and "I'm sure the inquiry will get to the bottom of everything."
Eliesa is paying the highest cost. But crazy how nobody has the gumption to say "I am so sorry for not ensuring the care and welfare of this player. I understand the criticism over this and am prepared to accept responsibility for my actions or lack thereof."
Lots of "our guys did the right thing" and "we didn't know" and "I'm sure the inquiry will get to the bottom of everything."
I believe the circumstances are outside the game in that doctors, coaches etc aren’t 100% focused on the players, monitoring them and have other pregame obligations, unlike when the game is being played.
I personally don’t expect a doctor to directly see an pregame incident - it’s expected to be a low risk warm up and if players don’t report it then the doctors not a mind reader.
NZWarriors.com
Court cases mean even if may feel guilty, in the interests of your organisation, you are not allowed to say anything.
When sport becomes a business…
Apparently Leka was the one on the sidelines who alerted staff and trainers to Eli's deterioration
https://au.news.yahoo.com/teammates...action-over-eli-katoa-incident-230946907.html
https://au.news.yahoo.com/teammates...action-over-eli-katoa-incident-230946907.html
87K views · 239 reactions | Eli Katoa lucky to be running out for Tonga today after copping a brutal friendly fire hit during the warm up! Must have passed all concussion assessments - hopefully no more heavy blows to the head for him today 🤞 | NRL
Eli Katoa lucky to be running out for Tonga today after copping a brutal friendly fire hit during the warm up! Must have passed all concussion assessments - hopefully no more heavy blows to the head...
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In this video Eli is comforted by a person in a yellow top
The top has a word on the arm and while the full word is not visible I can make out at least ..ctor
Is there any sponsor of MMT whose name ends ctor or could the full word be doctor???
NZWarriors.com
That’s an interesting point I’ve never heard mentioned before.
Should guys with a history of head knocks like the pongas and egans be treated with more caution?
I’ve no medical background so may be talking out of school but I would think so.
Maybe if u have already failed an HIA that year a grade 2 should be treated as a grade 1?
Idk just spit balling but there’s been many times Ive expected a player to be taken off and he stays on and it’s often the usual suspects.
I get that but it was televised so that a million other eyes saw it. And we can march the warriors back a whole set of six to penalize us for an infringement.
So it's just hard to swallow the we didn't know pill.
tajhay
💙💚❤️
Hes in a stable condition now and awake and out of ICU
The uncle of Eliesa Katoa has confirmed the Tongan star is in a stable condition and has been moved out of intensive care as he recovers from three separate head knocks that led to emergency surgery to ease pressure on his brain.
Katoa’s uncle, Reverend Setelo Katoa, spoke with Tongan radio station PMN Tonga on Wednesday, where he confirmed the Melbourne Storm backrower was “recovering well” while expressing gratitude on behalf of the entire family for the messages of support that had been sent to Katoa ever since he was rushed to hospital from Eden Park last Sunday.
The fallout from Katoa being allowed to take the field after suffering a sickening head knock in the pre-game warm-up of Tonga’s Pacific Championships loss to New Zealand is the focus of the NRL’s sweeping inquest into the incident that also included two further concussions in the ninth and 51st minute of the match.
“At the moment, he’s doing much better,’’ Reverend Setelo told PMN.
“He has been moved from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to a general ward in the hospital.
“He’s awake, recovering well, and being looked after by medical staff. The family is very thankful for all the support, love, and prayers from everyone.
Speaking on behalf of the entire Katoa family, Reverend Setelo expressed his deep gratitude to everyone who has been praying and sending love — including from family, friends, the Tongan community, and people around the world.
“They’re thankful to God, the medical staff at the hospital, and everyone who has offered prayers and support,’’ he said.
With Katoa’s immediate playing future in doubt, Reverend Setelo asked for continuing prayer for the NRL star to make a full recovery.
Radio host of PMN Tonga John Nicholas Pulu translated much of the interview spoken in Tongan to English by stating:
“Many people have gathered at churches and prayer groups to pray for Elias and his family,’’ Pulu said.
“The community’s response — both in Tonga and abroad — has been overwhelming.
“The Reverend emphasised that the family feels the strength and love of everyone supporting them and that their faith remains strong.
There’s also a message to the Tongan people and supporters: to continue in unity, prayer, and encouragement for Elias and others representing Tonga. The family is truly moved by the outpouring of love and the way people have come together.
“Supporters from the Melbourne Storm have also sent messages of love and encouragement, saying the whole team and fan base are behind him.’’
The Storm have been in daily contact with Katoa and his family with the club’s welfare manager Young Tonumaipea flying to Auckland on Monday morning.
There is no firm timeline on when Katoa will be omitted from hospital in Auckland to return to Melbourne.
The Storm are eagerly awaiting an outcome from the NRL’s investigation into the traumatic incident, which included Katoa needing to be transported from the interchange bench on a medi-cab with an oxygen mask.
Katoa’s uncle, Reverend Setelo Katoa, spoke with Tongan radio station PMN Tonga on Wednesday, where he confirmed the Melbourne Storm backrower was “recovering well” while expressing gratitude on behalf of the entire family for the messages of support that had been sent to Katoa ever since he was rushed to hospital from Eden Park last Sunday.
The fallout from Katoa being allowed to take the field after suffering a sickening head knock in the pre-game warm-up of Tonga’s Pacific Championships loss to New Zealand is the focus of the NRL’s sweeping inquest into the incident that also included two further concussions in the ninth and 51st minute of the match.
“At the moment, he’s doing much better,’’ Reverend Setelo told PMN.
“He has been moved from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to a general ward in the hospital.
“He’s awake, recovering well, and being looked after by medical staff. The family is very thankful for all the support, love, and prayers from everyone.
Speaking on behalf of the entire Katoa family, Reverend Setelo expressed his deep gratitude to everyone who has been praying and sending love — including from family, friends, the Tongan community, and people around the world.
“They’re thankful to God, the medical staff at the hospital, and everyone who has offered prayers and support,’’ he said.
With Katoa’s immediate playing future in doubt, Reverend Setelo asked for continuing prayer for the NRL star to make a full recovery.
Radio host of PMN Tonga John Nicholas Pulu translated much of the interview spoken in Tongan to English by stating:
“Many people have gathered at churches and prayer groups to pray for Elias and his family,’’ Pulu said.
“The community’s response — both in Tonga and abroad — has been overwhelming.
“The Reverend emphasised that the family feels the strength and love of everyone supporting them and that their faith remains strong.
There’s also a message to the Tongan people and supporters: to continue in unity, prayer, and encouragement for Elias and others representing Tonga. The family is truly moved by the outpouring of love and the way people have come together.
“Supporters from the Melbourne Storm have also sent messages of love and encouragement, saying the whole team and fan base are behind him.’’
The Storm have been in daily contact with Katoa and his family with the club’s welfare manager Young Tonumaipea flying to Auckland on Monday morning.
There is no firm timeline on when Katoa will be omitted from hospital in Auckland to return to Melbourne.
The Storm are eagerly awaiting an outcome from the NRL’s investigation into the traumatic incident, which included Katoa needing to be transported from the interchange bench on a medi-cab with an oxygen mask.
Last edited:
NZWarriors.com
I agree it’s not good. But I believe the independent doctor is not at the game and watches on screen from the bunker with access to the referee.
1 - was he even working and in place before the game kicked off?
2 - can he legally intervene outside the kickoff?
3 - if he can, what are the channels or is it reliant on the team doctors (who are not independent)?
These are the question I expect to come out in the review with processes and requirements that all televised vision is reviewed.
There have been a lot of failures leading up to Katoa getting taken to hospital.
The communication around the warm up knock is a good example. Flanagan saying that on the Australian coverage and on the NZ coverage, I'm pretty sure they said he passed an HIA and he's good to play. Or something along those lines, I just remember hearing they said he passed an HIA.
What was communicated to who?
Did people get told he was assessed with the proper HIA protocols only to find out later he wasn't?
Were the Australian commentators at the ground or commentating remotely from a studio? If they were remote, it seems strange they knew he hadn't been tested, and the NZ commentators said he had. Did they get told the wrong thing or just assume he'd be tested.
I know the commentary is minor but it does show the communication failures. If they got everything right with his treatment on the initial knock and due to wanting to assess him properly, the commentary confusion can be laughed off. There were likely a lot of other communication failures on the day.
It's one hell of a force - 110kgs of Katoa coming down from a jump, meeting 82kgs of Hopoate jumping up. The point of Hopoate's shoulder (very concentrated point) going straight into Katoa's face. So close to a 200kg collision at speed
Much more dangerous than a swinging arm, which must only weigh 8 or 9 kgs. This is 10x the weight, just for Hopoate
Based on that description, you don't even need a video to know that he should have been given a good looking over by the doctors
Much more dangerous than a swinging arm, which must only weigh 8 or 9 kgs. This is 10x the weight, just for Hopoate
Based on that description, you don't even need a video to know that he should have been given a good looking over by the doctors
NZWarriors.com
They hanging their hats on not seeing the warm up one. If it can be proved there was knowledge by staff of the warm up hit, there might be some in serious trouble
87K views · 239 reactions | Eli Katoa lucky to be running out for Tonga today after copping a brutal friendly fire hit during the warm up! Must have passed all concussion assessments - hopefully no more heavy blows to the head for him today 🤞 | NRL
Eli Katoa lucky to be running out for Tonga today after copping a brutal friendly fire hit during the warm up! Must have passed all concussion assessments - hopefully no more heavy blows to the head...
In this video Eli is comforted by a person in a yellow top
The top has a word on the arm and while the full word is not visible I can make out at least ..ctor
Is there any sponsor of MMT whose name ends ctor or could the full word be doctor???
'Victor' they are the manufacturer of the trainers' shirts.
a. Orange Trainer – (Medical)
i. Is allowed unlimited access to the playing field to attend to injured players.
ii. may provide fluids to Players when his team is in possession of the ball.
ii. Must not carry messages.
iii. Is allowed to be involved in the on-field interchange process whilst his team is in possession of the ball.
b. Yellow Trainer- (Medical assistant)
i. May sit with the Head Trainer but can only enter the field of play as provided in (ii) below and in the following emergencies at the direction of the head trainer;
1. To help the Head Trainer assist an injured Player from the field.
2. To treat an injured Player if there is more than one injured Player and the head trainer is already occupied.
ii. Is not to carry water unless a try (including video referee decisions) has been scored or the two Club doctors of the participating Clubs agree that the extreme weather conditions require each Team to have an additional water carrier. If competing Clubs cannot agree, the NRL Ground Manager will make the final decision on whether additional water carriers are permitted. If agreed, the Yellow trainer’s duties are limited to carrying water when his team is in possession. He cannot carry messages under any circumstances. (See also Extraordinary Weather Conditions 1.10.3.3)
iii. May refill drink containers and offer other assistance off the field of play.
iv. Is allowed to be involved in the off-field interchange process (i.e. to assist the NRL Interchange official).
c. Blue Trainer – (Messages)
i. The Blue (Messages) Trainer’s duties are limited to:-
1. Interchange of Players.
2. Provision of water.
3. Carrying messages to individual Team members.
ii. Is allowed access to the playing field:
1. When his team is in possession.
2. When a try has been scored.
3. While waiting for a Video Referee decision in relation to a try.
4. During a time-out called by the referee for an injury.
5. During a drop out.
iii. Must enter and leave the playing field without interfering with play.
iv. Must not give general messages to the Team or otherwise assist in the task of coaching (save for the carrying of messages to individual Team members) while play is progressing.
The trainer is right there when helping him. Terrible breakdown in communication within the Tonga support staff. And the excuses are really poor at this point.
The duty of care for all teams extends to training, before, during and after games from a legal perspective.
This is going to get pretty interesting from here I think.
NZWarriors.com
I'm calling it now, someone (and I'm not sure who) had knowledge of what happened, and a decision was made by someone that Eli could still play.
I'm not sure if it got to Woolf and he made the call, or if a trainer or medical staff decided it didn't warrant sharing with the coach, but imo someone's made a super poor decision, and it's going to come out but currently everyone's trying to cover up what's actually happened
I can see some bans for the trainers coming and wouldn’t be surprised to see Woolf over time step down as head coach of Tonga
So there was a trained medical person with Eli immediately after the pre-game collision and he appears to have not recognised how badly injured Eli was
FMD
NZWarriors.com
Sounds like everybody's going to be in a bit of shit:
The players for not reporting the incident - although if there were trainers present, maybe they thought something would get done.
The trainers for either not seeing or not realising the severity of the incidents (although I'd have said two headknocks, whatever the severity and it's No/No More Game Time For You Today! Time).
Kristian maybe, but what's the point in having trainers/etc if you're not going to give them a bit of trust?
The players for not reporting the incident - although if there were trainers present, maybe they thought something would get done.
The trainers for either not seeing or not realising the severity of the incidents (although I'd have said two headknocks, whatever the severity and it's No/No More Game Time For You Today! Time).
Kristian maybe, but what's the point in having trainers/etc if you're not going to give them a bit of trust?
Yep unfortunately there's no rules governing pre-match HIA's.
Just like I'm sure there are a helluva lot of players who suffer head knocks during the week at training (where there are no independent doctors), then play on the weekend and suffer another head knock which amplifies the long term damage on the brain by not letting it heal from the first one.
There gonna be so many players with CTE in 30 years time.
Eli Katoa could very well be one of them and he'll have all the evidence to sue off the back of it.