There are concerns for Eliesa Katoa after he copped a nasty head knock pre-game and was carted off the field during New Zealand’s win over Tonga in the Pacific Championships on Sunday.
The Kiwis dominated the contest to win 40-14 as their forward pack put on a clinic and Dylan Brown showed glimpses of career best form for New Zealand.
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Before the game even started, there were some big hits as Tongan fullback Lehi Hopoate’s shoulder connected flush on Katoa’s jaw during pre-game warm-up.
The friendly fire had the Melbourne Storm forward seeing stars. But Katoa was cleared to take the field for Tonga, only to come off for a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) early in the game.
Watch Eli Katoa’s pre-game KO in the video above
Katoa, who starred for the Storm in last month’s NRL Grand Final, was in all sorts of strife sitting on the Tongan bench in the second half after copping several hits to the head.
He was later taken down the tunnel at Auckland’s Eden Park on a medicab for further assessment.
Medical officials put an oxygen mask on Katoa’s face and covered him with a team jacket.
“Some concern here for Eli Katoa, we believe he’s the player requiring medical care,” Fox League commentator Andrew Voss said.
“They actually brought out the gurney out … they say he had some slightly delayed concussion symptoms. A very tough afternoon for Eli Katoa.”
The NRL Physio wrote on X: “3 big hits to the head for Eli Katoa within an hour or so – stretchered off with oxygen & reportedly off to hospital.
“A horrid situation, really hope he’s OK. Thoughts with him & his family right now.”
Brown gives Knights fans hopes
After impressing earlier in the Pacific Championships, Dylan Brown produced another excellent performance for New Zealand that will give Newcastle fans reason to be optimistic.
Brown begins his 10-year, $13 million contract with the Knights next season and has been in top form for the Kiwis — in two games for New Zealand he had 21 runs, three tries, four try assists.
“Dylan Brown, he’s been under pressure at different stages, signed a big contract with the Newcastle Knights, but I tell you what, he is playing lights out at the moment for New Zealand,” Cooper Cronk said on Fox League.
“Hopefully he takes this form to his new club next year because he is back to his best. Dylan Brown is back to his best football for the Kiwis.”
Voss added: “Newcastle fans would be smiling today thinking, ‘OK this could work. Give me (Phoenix) Crossland, Dylan Brown, Fletcher Sharpe, Kalyn Ponga, that could work.”
New Zealand will take on Samoa in the Pacific Championships Final next Sunday, which you can watch on Fox League via Kayo Sports.
