7 hours ago
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Tonga coach Kristian Woolf has defended his medical staff after forward Eliesa Katoa suffered three separate head knocks and was taken to hospital following his team's 40–14 loss to New Zealand in the Pacific Championships Test at Eden Park.
Katoa, who plays for the Melbourne Storm, was first struck during the pre-match warm-up when fullback Lehi Hopoate's shoulder accidentally hit him in the head. Despite the incident, he was cleared to play by team doctors.
Katoa later left the field early for a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) after another heavy collision but passed and returned to the match.
However, a third knock in the second half ended his night and prompted immediate concern from the Tonga bench, where medical staff fitted him with an oxygen mask before he was stretchered off and taken to Auckland Hospital.
Woolf confirmed Katoa had shown signs of deterioration after the final hit but insisted the medical team followed all required protocols.
'The doctors did the usual HIA [head injury assessment]; we've got two very experienced doctors there,' Woolf said.
Katoa suffered three head knocks, one in the warm up and two in the match against New Zealand
He was eventually taken from the field and required medical attention before being taken to hospital
Tonga coach Kristian Woolf said medical staff had followed all of the correct protocols
'They've done their usual HIA and he's passed all that and passed all that well.'
Woolf said Katoa was cleared because he showed no symptoms at the time of testing.
'Unfortunately I think he's copped a second hit that was quite heavy and there's been a poor result off the back of that,' he said.
The Tongan coach said Katoa was alert when he left the field but began to feel unwell on the sideline, prompting his transfer to hospital.
'He wasn't great on the sideline; I'm told he was responsive and was improving before he actually went to the hospital,' Woolf said.
Tonga Rugby League president Lord Fakafanua confirmed Katoa remained under medical observation and would not fly home with the team. Officials visited him in hospital after the match and said he would be monitored for several days.
Katoa later reassured fans on social media, quoting the Bible verse 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me' and thanking supporters for their messages.
Despite the distressing scenes, Woolf maintained his faith in Tonga's medical staff, saying they made the right calls at each stage of the process.
'My job is not to question doctors,' he said.
'They were both comfortable with that and comfortable with him coming on to the field.'
