Tongan rugby league player Eli Katoa has been moved out of intensive care at Auckland Hospital four days after requiring surgery following “seizure activity” during the Pacific Championships, his uncle said.
Katoa, who plays club rugby for Melbourne Storm in Australia’s NRL, had been allowed to play at Auckland’s Eden Park on Sunday despite a heavy clash of heads with a teammate in the pre-game warm-up.
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According to local reports he did not undergo a head injury assessment (HIA) and then suffered two more high hits during a game won by New Zealand 40-14.
He had an HIA after the first of those and passed it, but left the field after the second with his condition worsening as he watched from the bench.
TV footage showed Katoa being fitted with an oxygen mask and put on a stretcher.
Speaking to radio station PMN Tonga on Wednesday, Setelo Katoa said his nephew had been moved to a different part of the hospital.
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Radio host John Nicholas Pulu, translating Katoa’s comments, said the family had received “great news”.
“They are very grateful for the prayers and support of everyone,” Pulu said.
“Not just Tongans, but many, many people from various countries and communities who have been showing love and support.
“They ask for continuous prayer and support that he will make a full recovery.”
After the injury, Tonga coach Kristian Woolf defended the team doctors, saying everything had been “done by the book”.
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“We’ve got two very experienced doctors there. They’ve done their usual HIA. He’s passed all that and passed all that well,” Woolf said, according to Australian media.
The NRL is investigating the incident.
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