LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Eliesa Katoa's series of three head impacts within just 90 minutes may lead the NRL to reconsider its protocols regarding warm-up monitoring, as the Tongan player is currently recovering from surgery in an Auckland hospital.
The NRL is in the process of gathering details, particularly concerning the accidental blow to Katoa's head during warm-up from teammate Lehi Hopoate.
Officials from Tonga performed an on-field evaluation of Katoa following the incident but concluded that he did not need a comprehensive head injury assessment.
Later, the 25-year-old underwent a head injury assessment after a collision in the first half and subsequently suffered another head knock in the second half.