TONGA forward Eliesa Katoa is in a “stable condition” after suffering “seizure activity” during Sunday’s Pacific Cup match against New Zealand, according to his club Melbourne Storm.
Katoa was taken to hospital with concussion symptoms following a head injury in the 51st minute of the match.
The 25-year-old required an oxygen mask before being taken from the field on a medical vehicle.
He was reportedly found to have a bleed on the brain and has undergone surgery.
The incident has caused great controversy because Katoa came off for a head-injury assessment nine minutes into the first half, but passed.
Katoa also suffered a head knock in the warm-up before the match in Auckland, which Tonga lost 40-14.
Melbourne, where the back-rower has played since 2023, said: “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.”
Tongan head coach Kristian Woolf defended his staff, saying: “We have two very experienced doctors there, they have done the usual HIA.
“He has passed all that and passed it well.
“My job is not to question doctors. They were both comfortable with him coming back onto the field.”
The NRL have confirmed that they will review the incident.
Katoa, was making his seventh appearance for Tonga, having made his international debut in the 2023 series against England.