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    WahsaurusRex said:
    "Eliesa Katoa is in hospital recovering from seizure activity and brain bleeding after falling victim to a series of head knocks in Tonga's Pacific Cup loss to New Zealand.

    Katoa was hospitalised in Auckland on Sunday night, after requiring an oxygen mask on the sideline during Tonga's 40-14 defeat at Eden Park.

    The second-rower was first collected by teammate Lehi Hopoate in a pre-match warm up, but it was deemed he did not require a head injury assessment.

    After taking the field he suffered further friendly fire when his head collided with Will Penisini in the 10th minute, before being taken off and passing a HIA.

    But he then suffered a third knock to the head trying to tackle New Zealand forward Naufahu Whyte in the second half, again resulting in him leaving for a HIA.

    Melbourne officials have confirmed to AAP that the 25-year-old subsequently suffered bleeding on the brain, but they are hopeful of no long-lasting effects.

    "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 club said in a statement.

    "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."

    Katoa is said to be in good spirits, and has messaged Storm teammates to thank them for reaching out to him.

    He also took to Instagram on Monday morning to post a photo of several needles in his arm along with verse from the bible.

    "Appreciate everyone for checking in," Katoa said in the Instagram story.

    "Sorry if I haven't got back to any of you guys but I really appreciate all the love and the messages Ofa atu (I love you)."

    Tonga coach Kristian Woolf said after Sunday's game that the doctors had been confident Katoa was fine following the pre-match collision with Hopoate.

    "We have two very experienced doctors there, they have done the usual HIA. He has passed all that and passed it well," Woolf said.

    "My job is not to question doctors.

    "They were both comfortable with that and comfortable with him coming back on to the field.

    "Unfortunately he copped a second hit that was quite heavy, and there has been a bit of a poor result on the back of that."
    Click to expand...

    Far out. I don't know shit medically, but is it able to be evidenced that this wouldn't have happened if he was ruled out after the accident in training, or is there no way to tell if that's happened from the first, 2nd or 3rd head knock?

    Fucking diabolical if it's found to have happened because they allowed him to play. Absolutely criminal

    A brain bleed and surgery....poor fella. Hope he's okay
     
    Falcon said:
    Great to hear @Riz that you rate this kid.
    Fantastic another Cantab signing on with the Warriors.
    It will be a positive in encouraging other players the region to move into league, or continue to play with the carrot of a contract with a pathways age grade side.
    As a proud Cantab who has had to put up with Crusaders this and Crusaders that and the Crusaders are the be all and end all over the years ( they were awesome) reading about players with talent in the region making the most of their skills in taking a league contract is ‘refreshing’ rather than going down the well worn and crowded rugby road looking for opportunities.
    Click to expand...

    Interesting quote in that article, "“Growing up with him, I’ve always loved league. I’ve always preferred watching it, I just never got to play it.”

    Makes me wonder how many kids in NZ just never play league because it's not at their school or they didn't have a local competition, or they couldn't play both codes because of clashes etc?
     
    I think Tom Ale moving to the Panthers on a 1 year deal is to leverage expansion team opportunities-
    Riz said:
    www.odt.co.nz

    Talented young Cantabrian signs Warriors deal

    Last year Rene Frame was playing first XV rugby for Selwyn Schools. This week he was in Auckland after being snapped up by the Warriors' under-19...
    www.odt.co.nz www.odt.co.nz

    I was really impressed by this kid in the Canterbury Bulls 18s this season, great to see we've picked him up!
    Riz said:
    www.odt.co.nz

    Talented young Cantabrian signs Warriors deal

    Last year Rene Frame was playing first XV rugby for Selwyn Schools. This week he was in Auckland after being snapped up by the Warriors' under-19...
    www.odt.co.nz www.odt.co.nz

    I was really impressed by this kid in the Canterbury Bulls 18s this season, great to see we've picked him up!
    Click to expand...
    Click to expand...
    Great to hear @Riz that you rate this kid.
    Fantastic another Cantab signing on with the Warriors.
    It will be a positive in encouraging other players the region to move into league, or continue to play with the carrot of a contract with a pathways age grade side.
    As a proud Cantab who has had to put up with Crusaders this and Crusaders that and the Crusaders are the be all and end all over the years ( they were awesome) reading about players with talent in the region making the most of their skills in taking a league contract is ‘refreshing’ rather than going down the well worn and crowded rugby road looking for opportunities.
     
    I've been at every Kiwis game in Auckland/Hamilton over the last decade or so, and a massive change over the last couple of years is the demographic that's attending as Kiwi fans.

    In the past it was largely slightly older, fairly grizzled buggers, who generally looked like they'd been in and around the game for yonks.

    Recently, particularly yesterday, I've been seeing far more young white fans, which will be setting off alarm bells for the NZRU - that's their bread and butter. I've been seeing the tide turning with Wahs fans but seems Kiwis are now experiencing the same.

    It's a big injection of life and energy into the fan base, really good to see for the future of the game.
     
    How good! what about that forward pack? staunch af- that starting middle of the bash bros and tapine is one of the best we’ve seen imho- then u have absolute monsters coming off the bench- it’s a scary proposition, even for the islander packs.
    If I had the chance to sign any of them though- all things considered- give me nafahu whyte- he’s gonna terrorize the nrl for years to come.
     
    kos said:
    Mooks is there assisting
    Click to expand...
    He is a good man for supporting Stacey and everyone including Bellamy knows he is a great assistant to a head coach.

    I thought Stacey got the game plan bang on with the way he had them using the ball and playing second phase, it is our natural game and these guys know what to do when the opposition have the ball.

    Nice to see Stacey get some wins as coach and for NZs greatest test coach to be part of it in the legend Kearny.
     
    Tonga and Samoa did the Kiwis a favor with the movement of players away from New Zealand.

    New Zealand having lost all the stars to Tonga and Samoa have become a team that has returned to oldschool Test match culture, the players that the Kiwis have available now are there for the old fashioned reasons people played test matches in days gone by.

    By reducing their options the Kiwis have ended up with hearty play for the flag types of players.

    Even though Tonga and Samoa took some players that were better than their Kiwi counter parts at the time of the split, what really makes a strong test team is the will to fight for your colors.

    In this vein it is good people like Dimitric and Leka chose where their hearts lie.

    Gee Dimitric is a good bench player.
     
    Another awesome sight this weekend with the crowd. International league is improving but it's not really due to management and planning but more luck they fell into with the Tongan & Samoans drawing the crowds.

    That middle 3 of the Kiwis with JFH, Leota and Tapine is a great unit. This week there was less of a drop off when they were replaced. Whyte, Willison and Clark kept it going through the middle.

    Nice work from the halves. Having a fast elusive fullback helped a lot.

    Also Isaako knocking over the majority of the conversions.
     
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