Eliesa Katoa Photo: Joshua Devenie / Photosport
Tonga Rugby League president Lord Fakafanua says forward 'Eliesa Katoa is being monitored at Auckland Hospital.
Katoa suffered two head knocks during the Tonga vs Kiwis Pacific Cup game at Eden Park on Sunday night, as well as one in the warm-up, and later complained he was feeling sick as he sat on the sideline.
Lord Fakafanua said Katoa will not fly out with the team on Monday and he will be under observation, probably for the next few days.
The Tonga Rugby League management visited him on Sunday night following his admission.
Katoa posted an update on his Instagram story on Monday morning, quoting the Bible verse "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
"Appreciate everyone for checking in, sorry if I haven't got back to any of you guys but I really appreciate all the love and the messages Ofa atu (sic)."
Photo: Instagram/screenshot
Katoa had a knock in the warm-up, but was cleared to take his place in the side.
Katoa copped another blow early in the clash and went off for an head injury assessment (HIA), which he passed.
He then received another knock in the second half and left the field for another HIA. As it was his second HIA, he was immediately ruled out for the remainder of the match.
Tongan coach Kristian Woolf has since defended the team's process of allowing him to play.
"The doctors did the usual HIA [head injury assessment]; we've got two very experienced doctors there. They've done their usual HIA and he's passed all that and passed all that well," he said.
"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."
Woolf said Katoa was fine when he came back off but deteriorated after that.
"He wasn't great on the sideline; I'm told he was responsive and was improving before he actually went to the hospital."
Meanwhile, Kiwis duo Seb Kris and Nelson Asofa-Solomona will miss the Pacific Cup final against Toa Samoa after suffering calf injuries.
Ronaldo Mulitalo will miss a large portion of the 2026 NRL season for the Sharks, after tearing his ACL in New Zealand's win over Samoa.
Jeremy Marshall-King has also been ruled out of the remainder of the Pacific Championships after suffering a thumb injury in the win over Samoa.
