Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Jack Snape

Eli Katoa’s seizure and brain bleed prompts calls for NRL to assess concussion protocols

Eliesa Katoa of Tonga is attended to by a trainer after a collission during the Pacific Championships match against New Zealand.
Eliesa Katoa of Tonga is attended to by a trainer after a collission during the Pacific Championships match against New Zealand. Photograph: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

The NRL is assessing whether there was a failure in the application of rugby league’s concussion protocols after Tonga star Eli Katoa underwent emergency surgery prompted by seizures and bleeding on the brain following three sickening head impacts on Sunday.

Katoa was allowed to take the field after what appeared to be a concussion in the warm-up. He suffered another head injury in the first half of the Pacific Championships clash against New Zealand, but was allowed to continue the match.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.