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The NRL has launched an all-encompassing review into the handling of Eli Katoa’s repeated head knocks on Sunday after the Tongan star suffered ‘seizure activity’ which required emergency surgery to release pressure caused by fluid on his brain.
It’s understood Storm club doctor Rebecca Beaton has also been in contact with the NRL’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Sharon Flahive over the concussion controversy.
In a statement, the club said Katoa needed surgery after suffering three separate head knocks in
Tonga’s loss to New Zealand at Eden Park.
“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,” the statement said.
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“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.”
This masthead understands Katoa went under the knife on Sunday night in an Auckland hospital to relieve what was described as ‘fluid on his brain’.
Storm welfare officer, and former Melbourne player, Young Tonumaipea travelled to Auckland on Monday to support Katoa in his recovery.
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Katoa sent a scare through the NRL world after falling ill while sitting on the bench in the second half.
Six support staff assisted Katoa, who was transported from the field on a medi-cab, and rushed to hospital with around 20 minutes remaining in the game.
Katoa suffered three separate head knocks on Sunday, one in the pre-game warm up after collecting the shoulder of Tongan teammate Lehi Hopoate in a sickening collision, but was still allowed to take the field at kick-off.
As it stands, the independent doctor in the head bunker can only rule on incident in-game and not from vision before kick-off.
He was then forced off for a head injury assessment after just nine minutes but was allowed to return after passing his concussion test. A final head knock in the 51st minute finally forced him from the match. A player cannot return to the field after a second HIA. But it’s understood there is no precedent of player subsequently suffering two HIAs after a head knock in the warm-up.
While sitting on the bench, after being removed from the game, Katoa told a Tongan trainer he wasn’t feeling well.
He was rushed to hospital in Auckland, where he remained overnight.
Eli Katoa collision.
Katoa sent worried NRL fans a message from his hospital bed after needing emergency medical attention.
With an intravenous drip in his arm, Katoa thanked fans and players, who have rallied around the Storm star, for their well wishes.
“Appreciate everyone for checking in, sorry if I haven’t got back to any of you guys but I really appreciate all the love,” Katoa wrote.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”.
Katoa’s partner Tuitofa Aloua also shared a photo of her keeping a bedside vigil.
Holding Katoa’s hand, which still had strapping on his wrist worn in Sunday’s clash, Tuitofa thanked fans for their outpouring of support.
“TYG (thank you God) for your protection, thank you everyone for your kind words & messages,” she said.
“Right beside you my love.”
Eli Katoa’s message to fans after being hospitalised following repeated head knocks in Sunday's Test match at Eden Park.
Eli Katoa's partner Tuitofa Aloua shared this heartfelt post on social media.
While Tonga coach Kristian Woolf defended the decision to allow Katoa to take the field, NRL commentator Andrew Voss labelled the situation ‘indefensible’.
“Sickening collision... unbelievable situation. I think it’s indefensible, personally,” Voss said on SEN.
“If I’m Melbourne his club, I’m saying I want a full detailed description of how this unfolded.
“There’s a duty of care... Melbourne wouldn’t send him back on after that, if it’s a grand final they don’t send him back on after that.
“I think an independent doctor would rule him out on the first issue, and then the second one nine minutes into the game, and then the third one.
“He’s taken a turn on the sidelines and (was) receiving oxygen.
“All the best to Eli Katoa but it was pretty ugly stuff.”
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Woolf insisted after the match that all required HIA protocols were followed ‘to the book’.
“The doctors did the usual HIA, we’ve got two very experienced doctors there. They’ve done their usual HIA and he’s passed all that well,” Woolf said.
“My job isn’t to question doctors. They were both comfortable with him coming back onto the field, so I don’t think there’s anything there in terms of worrying about the process.
“Unfortunately I think he’s copped a second hit that was quite heavy and there’s been a poor result out of that.
“He had two HIA’s in the game. He passed his HIA from the first one, then the second one he doesn’t go back on anyway.
“By all reports he was fine when he came back off, but he deteriorated after that.
“Everything has been done by the book.’
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